title: A comparative study of radiation dose and screening time between mini C-arm and standard fluoroscopy in elective foot and ankle surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mini C-arm devices have gained popularity in extremity surgery. There is little evidence of the benefits of this technique in the clinical setting of foot and ankle surgery. We used dose area product (DAP) to compare radiation usage between mini C-arm and standard fluoroscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively reviewed 127 cases requiring intra-operative screening during elective foot and ankle surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mini C-arm was used in 55 patients and standard fluoroscopy in 72 patients. There was a statistically significant reduction in mean DAP using the mini C-arm, 3.46 Gy cm² vs 7.43 Gy cm² (P=0.0013). There was no difference in screening time. The annual saving from using the mini C-arm could be £9391, saving the total cost of the device over 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mini C-arm reduces radiation risk and costs when compared to standard fluoroscopy. We recommend its regular use in foot and ankle surgery.
authors.affiliation: Worthing and Southlands Hospitals, UK. edwarddawe@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Edward J C
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Dawe
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fawzy
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaczynski
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hassman
authors.forename: Simon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D011829:Radiation Dosage