Robotic Assistance is Associated With No Intraoperative Fluoroscopy or Radiation Exposure During Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

In this cadaver-based study, the use of a CT-based RA-THA DAA eliminated the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy, removing the concern of radiation exposure to the surgeon and surgical staff. The CT-based RA-THA DAA does require a preoperative CT scan of the patient; however, the radiation dosage to the patient was equivalent to 8.7 intraoperative fluoroscopy shots. As more surgeons, patients, and surgical staff are exposed to an increasing number of orthopaedic procedures that require ionizing radiation to generate images, such as fluoroscopy and CT, it is important to consider the radiation dosage for all individuals and understand the positives and negatives of each treatment. We must consider the overall long-term health impacts of continuous fluoroscopy vs a one-time CT scan. This is of particular importance to the surgeon and surgical staff who may be exposed to cumulative doses during multiple procedures.