Data were collected from 642 orthopaedic interventions during which the images produced by X-rays were recorded. By examining these images, it is possible to determine the time that the orthopaedic surgeons’ hands were exposed to the direct radiation beam. The procedures with greater exposure to the direct beam were those involving the hand (median 15 s) and the wrist (median 13 s). Two surgeons wore a ring to measure the absorbed dose at the fingers: one on the dominant hand and the other on the non-dominant hand. The two surgeons performed 34 and 48 operations, respectively, in 14 months. The total doses measured with the rings were 2.30 and 1.04 mSv, respectively. The images of the interventions were examined, determining how much each individual hand was exposed. The interventional reference point (IRPeff (left or right)) was calculated by comparing the doses at the IRP with the exposure times of the right or the left hand. Summing the IRPeff of the two surgeons in 14 months, it is obtained the maximum values of 2.87 mGy for the left hand of one and 6.74 mGy for the right hand of the other, which are of the order of 1/100 of the annual dose limit for the extremities.

The data analysed came from 545 patients and were related to five types of procedures performed in the urology operating room: percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), ureteropyeloscopy (UPS), ureteral catheterisation and nephrostomy. Local reference levels (75th percentiles) were determined for the various procedures. The peak entrance skin dose for a patient 20 cm thick was highest for PCNL, being 82 mGy, followed by 43 mGy for nephrostomy, 23 mGy for RIRS, 23 mGy for UPS and 17 mGy for stenting. Even taking into account the maximum values measured (296 mGy for UPS), the doses reached at the skin were not such as to cause deterministic effects. However, the threshold dose for male temporary sterility could be reached (150 mGy).

The aim of this study was to determine the dosimetric parameters of radiation to which orthopedic in-patients are exposed, using data drawn from the hospital's picture archiving and communication system. Data for 310 patients, relating to seven different anatomical districts, were examined. Femoral operations were divided into three types. The 75th percentile dose at the interventional reference point (IRP) exceeded 2 mGy only for femoral interventions (4.6-6.2 mGy) with 75th percentile kerma-area product (KAP) values ranging from 84.8 to 109.1 μGy m2. The 75th percentile fluoroscopy time was longer than 1 min only for the humeral operations and the three types of femoral intervention. In general, the radiation exposure times and doses recorded in our institute were lower than those reported in the literature. The correlation between KAP and kerma at the IRP was very strong for all districts (R > 0.80). The correlation between KAP and fluoroscopy times was very strong for seven cases (R > 0.80), and strong for two (0.60 < R < 0.79).