Surgeon's radiation exposure during percutaneous vertebroplasty

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Neurosurgery
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Fluoroscopically-assisted vertebroplasty involves significant radiation exposure for surgeons.
• Protecting surgeons' hands from radiation is crucial for long-term occupational health.
• The efficacy of protective lead gloves in reducing hand radiation dose during this procedure requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare radiation exposure levels to surgeons' protected and unprotected hands during fluoroscopically-assisted vertebroplasty.
• To assess the effectiveness of lead glove protection in reducing radiation dose to the hands.

Main Methods:

• A prospective trial over 6 months involving 30 patients and 41 procedures.
• Radiation exposure to surgeons' right and left hands (protected and unprotected) was measured using thermoluminescent finger dosimeters.
• Dose-area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy times were recorded; comparisons were made between protected and unprotected hands.

Main Results:

• The mean effective dose to the glove-protected left hand was 0.49 mSv, significantly lower than the 1.81 mSv for the unprotected left hand (p < 0.05).
• Lead glove shielding demonstrated a 75% reduction in radiation dose to the hands.
• No significant difference in total DAP or fluoroscopy time was observed between protected and unprotected surgeons.

Conclusions:

• Wearing lead glove protection on the leading hand significantly reduces radiation exposure during percutaneous vertebroplasty.
• A 75% reduction in radiation exposure underscores the critical importance of lead gloves for surgeon safety.
• Lead gloves are an effective measure to mitigate radiation risks for surgeons performing vertebroplasty.