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01-12-2024 | Endoscopy of the Urinary Tract | Original Article

Trends in the use of radiation protection and radiation exposure of European endourologists: a prospective trial from the EULIS-YAU Endourology Group

Authors: Sofia Fontanet Soler, Alejandra Bravo-Balado, Andreas Skolarikos, Christian Seitz, Olivier Traxer, Michele Talso, Eugenio Ventimiglia, Luca Villa, Amelia Pietropaolo, Etienne Xavier Keller, Panagiotis Kallidonis, Tarik Emre Sener, Udo Nagele, Vincent De Coninck, Zeeshan Hameed, Arman Tsaturyan, Patrick Juliebø-Jones, Ioannis Mikoniatis, Oliver Wiseman, Lazaros Tzelves, Esteban Emiliani

Published in: World Journal of Urology | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Due to the radiation exposure for the urology staff during endourology, our aim was to evaluate the trends of radiation protection in the operation room by endourologists from European centers and to estimate their annual radiation.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter study involving experienced endourologists from different European centers to evaluate whether the protection and threshold doses recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) were being followed. A 36-question survey was completed on the use of fluoroscopy and radiation protection. Annual prospective data from chest, extremities, and eye dosimeters were collected during a 4-year period (2017–2020).

Results

Ten endourologists participated. Most surgeons use lead aprons and thyroid shield (9/10 and 10/10), while leaded gloves and caps are rarely used (2/10 both). Six out of ten surgeons wear leaded glasses. There is widespread use of personal chest dosimeters under the apron (9/10), and only 5/10 use a wrist or ring dosimeter and 4 use an eye dosimeter. Two endourologists use the ALARA protocol. The use of ultrasound and fluoroscopy during PCNL puncture was reported by 8 surgeons. The mean number of PCNL and URS per year was 30.9 (SD 19.9) and 147 (SD 151.9). The mean chest radiation was 1.35 mSv per year and 0.007 mSv per procedure. Mean radiation exposure per year in the eyes and extremities was 1.63 and 11.5 mSv.

Conclusions

Endourologists did not exceed the threshold doses for radiation exposure to the chest, extremities and lens. Furthermore, the ALARA protocol manages to reduce radiation exposure.

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Title: Trends in the use of radiation protection and radiation exposure of European endourologists: a prospective trial from the EULIS-YAU Endourology Group
Authors: Sofia Fontanet Soler
Alejandra Bravo-Balado
Andreas Skolarikos
Christian Seitz
Olivier Traxer
Michele Talso
Eugenio Ventimiglia
Luca Villa
Amelia Pietropaolo
Etienne Xavier Keller
Panagiotis Kallidonis
Tarik Emre Sener
Udo Nagele
Vincent De Coninck
Zeeshan Hameed
Arman Tsaturyan
Patrick Juliebø-Jones
Ioannis Mikoniatis
Oliver Wiseman
Lazaros Tzelves
Esteban Emiliani
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Endoscopy of the Urinary Tract
Radiation Protection
Published in: World Journal of Urology / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 0724-4983
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-024-04854-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Trends in the use of radiation protection and radiation exposure of European endourologists: a prospective trial from the EULIS-YAU Endourology Group

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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