A new prospective multicenter study evaluating whether freehand pedicle screw fixation in pediatric spinal deformity correction reduced surgeon radiation exposure was published in Spine.
All operating surgeons involved in the study placed a gamma radiation dosimeter on their chest outside the lead apron during surgery and placed pedicle screws in the pediatric spine using the freehand technique. Average fluoroscopic time was 40.5±21 seconds.
To place a single screw, average fluoroscopy time was 2.6±1.7 seconds. Fluoroscopy time per fixation level was 3.9±2.5 seconds. The researchers recorded less radiation exposure than the minimum reportable dose in each surgery.
"The use of freehand technique for pedicle screw fixation in spinal deformity correction requires a minimum amount of fluoroscopic use, hence decreasing radiation exposure to the surgeon and patient," the study authors concluded.
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