Real-Time Dosimetry in Endourology: Tracking Staff Radiation Risks: Tracking Staff Radiation Risks

Susanne Deininger* (First author), O Nairz, Anna Maria Dieplinger (Co-author), Christian Deininger (Co-author), Lukas Lusuardi (Co-author), Christian Ramesmayer (Co-author), J Peters (Co-author), David Oswald (Co-author), Maximilian Pallauf (Co-author), Sophina Bauer (Co-author), Mathias Brandt (Last author), Peter Törzsök (Last author)

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalOriginal Articlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively investigate scatter radiation (SCR) exposure among staff in the endourology operating theatre.

METHODS: During surgeries under fluoroscopic guidance, five professional groups (urological surgeon [US], surgical nurse [SN], assistant surgical nurse [ASN], anaesthetist [A], and anaesthesia care [AC]) wore real-time dosimeters (Philips DoseAware System) on their head and chest over lead aprons between July 2023 and February 2024. The SCR data were analysed and correlated with procedural and patient factors.

RESULTS: In total, 249 procedures were performed, including 86 retrograde intrarenal surgeries and 10 percutaneous nephrolithotomies. Median SCR exposure was 38.81, 17.20, 7.71, 11.58, 0.63, 0.23, 0.12, and 0.15 Microsievert (µSv) for US chest (USC), US head (USH), SN chest (SNC), SN head (SNH), A chest (AC), AC chest (ACC), ASN chest (ASNC), and ASN head (ASNH), respectively. There was a significant correlation between DAP and SCR doses detected by USC, USH, SNC, SNH, AC, and ACC dosimeters ( p < 0.05). The median chest-to-eye conversion factor (CECF) was 2.11 for the US and 0.71 for the SN.

CONCLUSIONS: This study, using real-time dosimetry, is among the first to assess staff occupational SCR exposure in endourology. It highlights a substantial SCR exposure, indicating an occupational health hazard that warrants further investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1763
Number of pages16
JournalDIAGNOSTICS
Volume14
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Endourology
  • Staff
  • Stone removal
  • X-ray
  • Lead apron
  • Radiation protection
  • Rirs
  • Eye lens

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