title: Intraoperative radiation exposure in displaced supracondylar humeral fractures: a comparison of surgical methods.
abstract: Crossed K-wires, descending elastic stable intramedullary nailing and radial external fixator are alternatives in the operative treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures. Only little knowledge of intraoperative radiation exposure exists in those procedures. We found average image intensifier times of 30.7 s for K-wires, 41.4 s for the external fixator and 80.0 s for elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Extensively increased fluoroscopy times was seen in cases switched from closed to open reduction intraoperatively. To avoid unnecessary intraoperative radiation exposure for patient, surgeon and staff, limits of radiation time are recommended as an additional indicator to change the surgical procedure to another fixation method or open reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany. Ralf.Kraus@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joeris
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castellani
authors.forename: Annelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Theddy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slongo
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schnettler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016267:External Fixators; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies