STRAY RF HELD STRENGTH DURING RADIOFREQUENCY ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION

A study has been carried out of the RF field strength around a total o f 17 patients undergoing radio-frequency endometrial ablation in three hospital centres. The mean equivalent power density at the position o f the surgeon exceeded 10 W m(-2), which is the derived investigation level for exposure to electromagnetic fields. This value is derived fr om a basic restriction in the average specific absorption rate in the body to 0.4 W kg(-1). This limit applies to general population as well as occupational exposure and is well below that which has been shown to be hazardous to health. Also, the working conditions did not place physical stress on the surgeon. The maximum value of the specific ener gy absorption rate in the head or trunk should not exceed 10 W kg(-1). Measured values on the field strength suggest that this organ dose li mit was not exceeded. It is concluded that staff exposure to stray RF radiation during radio-frequency endometrial ablation is not considere d to be hazardous to health.