Risk and radiation exposure in orthopedic surgery of the spine in Mexico

OBJECTIVE: To find a biological effect by means of detection of the thyroid profile in research personnel, and a physical effect through radiation detection plates type Durr. METHODS: Five medical residents (four of first year and one of second) were submitted to the study of the basal thyroid profile, and annually after a year of radiation exposure. In two of them five plates of Durr type were placed by surgery at different body parts and 20 separate surgeries, using fluoroscopy, a total of 200 plates exposed. RESULTS: Three residents had decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone and two had a significant increase. Ninety-one plates were exposed, most of which corresponds to the neck (thyroid). CONCLUSION: Biological and physical changes were observed that require us to realize and implement protective measures against radiation, at least in the neck, because the thyroid is susceptible to radiation.