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Is It Safe to Use a Lead Screen During Hip Arthroscopy?
Alexander Rahill1, Leah Biffin2, Camdon Fary1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Purpose:
To assess the radiation attenuation of lead screens in comparison to lead gowns in a simulated hip arthroscopy setting.
Methods:
In this quantitative laboratory study, a phantom pelvis was used to simulate the scatter produced by patients during hip arthroscopy. Radiation measurements were taken using a handheld radiation detector positioned perpendicular to the phantom pelvis at 1.5 m and 2 m. Measurements were taken without shielding as a control, behind a lead gown (0.4-mm lead equivalent), and behind a lead screen (0.5-mm lead equivalent).
Results:
With the detector at 1.5 m perpendicular to the hip, equivalent radiation was attenuated by the lead screen (94%) and the lead gown (94%). With the detector at 2 m perpendicular to the hip, the lead screen at 1.7 m attenuated 95% of radiation.
Conclusions:
In hip arthroscopy, using lead screens is a safe and more comfortable alternative to wearing lead gowns. The lead screen should be at least 1.2 m from the radiation source, with the surgeon standing closely behind the screen, fully covered.
Clinical Relevance:
Lead screens can be safely used in hip arthroscopy.
