Scattered radiation and dose to staff during a dynamic hip screw procedure

Abstract

Introduction: Scattered or secondary radiation is the radiation given off by the patients when they are being irradiated. This secondary radiation usually consists of low energy photons; these are more harmful than high energy photons since they are absorbed by the body. Once absorbed by the body irreparable damage to the cells is done. One of the most common procedures in the Orthopaedic Operating Theatre is the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) procedure for fixation of hip fractures. Aim: This study attempted to check which are the safest zones in the operating theatre during a DHS procedure. Method: It used a descriptive correlational design to check if the dose received by the staff standing in close proximity to the patient differs significantly from that received by staff standing further away from the patient. A DHS study was simulated using an anthropological phantom and the scattered radiation was measured, using a Bicron dose rate meter, at different distances from the patient. Results: As expected the study showed that the dose decreases significantly as the distance from the source of radiation increases thus showing that the surgeon, assistant surgeon and scrub nurse receive the highest doses during a DHS procedure. Conclusion: This study concluded that the safest areas in an operating theatre when use of fluoroscopy is made, are those furthest away from the source of radiation and that there is a significant difference between the dose at 1m and 2m away from this source. This study also concluded that even taking one step backwards decreases the dose considerably.