Radiation Exposure in The Treatment of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Comparison of Two Fixation Methods

Abstract

* Address correspondence to this author at Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BB, UK; Tel: +447923301467; E-mail: ttzatzai@gmail.com or themistoklis.tzatzairis@nhs.net (patient size, thickness of body/body composition in the plane of beam and energy of beam) [3]. Calculating the surgeon’s exposure is also challenging as exposure time to radiation, distance from the beam, quality/thickness of the shield and direct versus scatter type of radiation all influence the dose received [4]. Children have greater radiosensitivity than adults, and the mortality risk from cancer after radiation has been estimated at 5% per Sievert for adults and up to 9% for a 10year old child, with the risk increasing for younger patients [5]. Minimizing radiation during paediatric orthopaedic procedures like supracondylar fixation is crucial.