Comparison of operator radiation exposure between C-arm and O-arm fluoroscopy for orthopaedic surgery

The O-arm system has recently been introduced and has the capability of combined two-dimensional (2-D) fluoroscopy imaging and three-dimensional computed tomography imaging. In this study, an orthopaedic surgical procedure using C-arm and O-arm systems in their 2-D fluoroscopy modes was simulated and the radiation doses to susceptible organs to which operators can be exposed were investigated. The experiments were performed in four configurations of the location of the X-ray source and detector. Shielding effects on the thyroid surface and the direct exposure delivered to the surgeon's hands were also compared. The results obtained show that the O-arm delivered higher doses to the sensitive organs of the operator in all configurations. The thyroid shield cut-off 89 % of the dose in the posteroanterior configuration of both imaging systems. Thus, the operators need to pay more attention to managing radiation exposure, especially when using the O-arm system.