Using a dedicated spine radiology technologist is associated with reduced fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and surgical time in pediatric spinal deformity surgery
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Michael Mariscal; Kyle K. Obana; Kenneth D. Illingworth; Vernon T. Tolo; Skorn Ponrartana; Lindsay M. Andras; Rajan Murgai; David L. Skaggs; Ali A. Siddiqui
- Source
- Spine Deformity. 9:85-89
- Subject
- 030222 orthopedics
medicine.medical_specialty
medicine.diagnostic_test
business.industry
medicine.medical_treatment
Radiation dose
Pediatric spine
Surgery
03 medical and health sciences
Surgical time
0302 clinical medicine
Blood loss
Spinal fusion
Orthopedic surgery
Spinal deformity
Medicine
Fluoroscopy
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Radiology
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
- Language
- ISSN
- 2212-1358
2212-134X
Retrospective comparative study The goal of this study was to investigate fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure during pediatric spine surgery using a dedicated radiology technologist with extensive experience in spine operating rooms. Repetitive use of intraoperative fluoroscopy during posterior spinal fusion (PSF) exposes the patient, surgeon, and staff to radiation. Retrospective review was conducted on patients with posterior spinal fusion (PSF) of ≥ 7 levels for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at a pediatric hospital from 2015 to 2019. Cases covered by the dedicated radiology technologist (dedicated group) were compared to all other cases (non-dedicated group). Surgical and radiologic variables were compared between groups. 230 patients were included. 112/230 (49%) were in the dedicated group and 118/230 (51%) were in the non-dedicated group. Total fluoroscopy time was significantly reduced in cases with the dedicated technologist (46 s) compared to those without (69 s) (p = 0.001). Radiation dose area product (DAP) and air kerma (AK) were reduced by 43% (p