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Radiographs taken immediately after shoulder surgery are of poor quality, study finds
Researchers in this study concluded the majority of radiographs taken immediately after shoulder arthroplasty are of poor quality and recommended the practice be discontinued.
“Routine [postanesthesia care unit] PACU radiographs, in the absence of a specific indication, may result in poor-quality images,” Surena Namdari MD, MSc, and colleagues wrote in the study abstract. “Elimination of these radiographs and radiographic interpretation after shoulder arthroplasty may reduce charges without changing clinical care.”
In comparing radiographs from 283 patients who had images taken immediately after surgery to 241 patients who had their radiographs taken at a later date, Namdari and colleagues found all images taken right after surgery comprised of single-view radiographs with 88% internal rotation, according to the abstract. Additionally, the imaging charges for the group of patients with radiographs taken immediately after surgery was $64,524.
Images taken immediately after surgery were underpenetrated 71% of the time and none of them influenced postoperative care or were considered an adequate baseline. Radiographs from patients taken at a later date tended to be multi-view imaging with 83% considered adequate as a baseline, according to the abstract.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.