BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As endourology becomes an important part of the practice of urology, the use of fluoroscopic guidance has increased the exposure of urologists to the possibly deleterious effects of radiation. There is a need for a method of radiation protection for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), as the exposure from radiation scatter may be significant, depending on the difficulty of establishing access. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We ascertained the effectiveness of a newly modified radiation shield during PCNL. Exposure readings were taken using a thermoluminescent dose monitor placed different distances from the radiation source during six PCNLs. We compared the exposure readings with and without the shield. RESULTS: The shield was able to reduce the radiation by an average of 96.1% at a distance of 25 cm and 71.2% at a distance of 50 cm from the source. CONCLUSION: The shield can be used as one step toward the goal of reducing surgeon radiation exposure. Other methods, such as dose-minimizing imaging protocols and adaptation of equipment optimized to reduce exposure, are also important measures in creating a safe environment for both the urologist and the patient.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As endourology becomes an important part of the practice of urology, the use of fluoroscopic guidance has increased the exposure of urologists to the possibly deleterious effects of radiation. There is a need for a method of radiation protection for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), as the exposure from radiation scatter may be significant, depending on the difficulty of establishing access. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We ascertained the effectiveness of a newly modified radiation shield during PCNL. Exposure readings were taken using a thermoluminescent dose monitor placed different distances from the radiation source during six PCNLs. We compared the exposure readings with and without the shield. RESULTS: The shield was able to reduce the radiation by an average of 96.1% at a distance of 25 cm and 71.2% at a distance of 50 cm from the source. CONCLUSION: The shield can be used as one step toward the goal of reducing surgeon radiation exposure. Other methods, such as dose-minimizing imaging protocols and adaptation of equipment optimized to reduce exposure, are also important measures in creating a safe environment for both the urologist and the patient.
Authors: Kwang Pyo Kim; Donald L Miller; Amy Berrington de Gonzalez; Stephen Balter; Ruth A Kleinerman; Evgenia Ostroumova; Steven L Simon; Martha S Linet Journal: Health Phys Date: 2012-07 Impact factor: 1.316
Authors: Gyanendra R Sharma; Pankaj N Maheshwari; Anshu G Sharma; Reeta P Maheshwari; Ritwik S Heda; Sakshi P Maheshwari Journal: World J Clin Cases Date: 2015-03-16 Impact factor: 1.337
Authors: Namık Kemal Hatipoglu; Mehmet Nuri Bodakci; Necmettin Penbegül; Yaşar Bozkurt; Ahmet Ali Sancaktutar; Murat Atar; Haluk Söylemez Journal: Urolithiasis Date: 2013-04-07 Impact factor: 3.436