Mini C-Arm Fluoroscopy: Does Its Configuration Matter for Radiation Exposure to the Surgeon? | Semantic Scholar (2024)

MI in the field of fluoroscopy increases scatter radiation exposure to a degree that may place the first assistant's yearly eye exposure in excess of the International Commission on Radiological Protection limit.

Intraoperative radiation exposure from the mini C-arm is low, specifically to areas not protected by lead and in close proximity to the primary x-ray beam, which means surgeons should always practice the principles of ALARA to minimize radiation exposure in the workplace.

Patient-level radiation exposure during fluoroscopy-guided hand and wrist procedures is low relative to other common imaging modalities, such as dental radiographs, chest x-rays, and computed tomography scans, and is comparable with less than a few hours of natural background radiation exposure, highlighting the overall safety of this important technology.

Safe usage of Mini 'C'-arm machine requires a multifaceted approach including operator responsibility and safety, patient protection, equipment maintenance, radiation dose awareness, documentation and sound reporting mechanisms.

Exposure of the patient and surgeon to radiation depends on the tissue density and the shape of the imaged extremity, and when it is possible to satisfactorily image an extremity with use of the mini c-arm, it should be chosen over its larger counterpart.

The results show that the equivalent scattered radiation doses to the surgeon’s susceptible organs and the direct radiation dose to a patients’ hand can be decreased significantly by using a mini C-arm rather than a conventional C-arms.

Surgeons' hands receive the most radiation exposure during distal radial plate fixation under fluoroscopy, and routine protective equipment is recommended to mitigate exposure to surgeons' hands and eyes, in addition to the thyroid, chest, groin, and groin, during fluorideoscopy procedures.

Neither C-arm configuration-with the image intensifier serving as the operating surface or with the images intensifier positioned above a radiolucent hand table-was shown to be clearly safer for pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture fixation.

The mini-c-arm device should be utilized whenever feasible in order to eliminate many of the concerns associated with use of the large c- arm device, specifically those related to cumulative radiation hazards, positioning considerations, relative distance from the beam, and the need for protective shielding.

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