RADIATION RISK TO THE UROLOGIST DURING ENDOUROLOGICAL PROCEDURES, ANDA NEW SHIELD THAT REDUCES EXPOSURE

Objectives. With the increasing use of endourologic procedures to diag nose and treat urologic problems, the urologist's exposure to radiatio n from fluoroscopy becomes an important safety consideration. Although collimation of the x-ray beam generally prevents direct radiation exp osure by the urologist, the patient absorbs radiation during the proce dure and becomes a secondary source of exposure through radiation scat ter. Methods, We measured radiation exposure to the urologist during e ndourologic procedures using standard body shields and thyroid collars . We repeated our surveys using a newly designed urologic surgery radi ation shield. Results. We found dose rates to the urologist of up to 1 100 mrem per hour of flouroscopy time. The maximum yearly whole-body e xposure as recommended by the National Council on Radiation Protection is 5000 mrem, or 5 rem. Conclusions. Urologists should be cognizant o f this radiation risk, and the concepts of time, distance, and shieldi ng are critically important to know in efforts to reduce radiation exp osure. We introduce a newly designed fluoroscopic drape which reduces the radiation dosage to the urologist from scatter nearly 70-fold. We found this shield to be very practical and easy to use, and we offer i t as an effective safeguard against secondary radiation exposure.