title: Influence of fracture type and surgeon experience on the emission of radiation in distal radius fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ionising radiation is a potential risk for potentially exposed personnel. Only a few studies have examined the factors contributing to the emission of radiation in orthopaedic trauma procedures. We hypothesize that the experience of the surgeon and the fracture type influence the emission of radiation intraoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective analysis, we examined 100 consecutive distal radius fractures receiving a volar plate osteosynthesis. The following parameters were documented: demographic data, plate system, fracture type, duration of the surgical procedure and duration of the emission of radiation, the experience level of the surgeon and the first assisting surgeon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all included patients (74 female), 48 had a type A, 7 a type B and 45 a type C fracture. The duration of radiation was longer for type C fractures [1.04 min (min)] in comparison to type A fractures (0.88 min) (P = 0.8152). In the type C subgroup, the highest amount of radiation was required for type C3 fractures (1.6 min), which was significantly more in comparison to type A (P = 0.0460) and type C1 fractures (P = 0.0089). The intraoperative emission of radiation (P = 0.00141) and the procedure time (P = 0.0006) depended on the experience of the surgical team.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The emission of radiation during this procedure depends on the fracture type and the experience of the surgical team. Operating theatre personnel should be aware of the higher emission rates during the treatment of type C fractures and in teaching hospitals with inexperienced team members.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Research in Rehabilitation Medicine, Ulm University, Freihofgasse 14, 88422 Bad Buchau, Germany. kraus@email.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Götz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Röderer
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Max
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krischak
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gebhard
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riepl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies