Orthopedics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthopedics, including details on chronic injuries, muscoskeletal disorders, surgery, reconstruction.

Radiation protection for your hands.

Back DL, Hilton AI, Briggs TW, Scott J, Burns M, Warren P

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Orthopaedic, Brockley Hill, Stanmore Middlesex, Stanmore HA7 4LP, UK. diback@hotmail.com

A prospective clinical trial was performed to assess the suitability of a new type of sterilisable, user-friendly radiation protection glove. In a preliminary trial, we showed that the dominant hand of the primary operating orthopaedic surgeon receives the highest dose of radiation. During a 4-month period, 98 procedures were done requiring the use of an image intensifier. The doses of radiation to the dominant hand of the operating surgeon were reduced to less than the doses of radiation to the non-dominant hand. The glove was sterilisable, user-friendly and accepted by the majority of surgeons. It offers greater than 90% attenuation of X-rays and is superior to all other scatter gloves on the market.

Published 18 November 2005 in Injury, 36(12): 1416-20.
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