Radiation exposure doses of surgeons performing spine surgeries

Objective. To determine the radiation doses of surgeons performing spinal stabilization operations using fluoroscopy and X-ray.

Material and Methods. Design: prospective study and description of a case series. The sample included the most dose-related spine stabilization techniques: percutaneous transpedicular fixation (PTF, n = 11) and puncture kyphoplasty (PKP, n = 10). Effective radiation doses and equivalent radiation doses to the lenses of the eyes and the skin of the hands were evaluated.

Results. In the PTF and PKP groups, the following values were obtained, respectively: effective radiation doses to the surgeon – 0.07 mSv and  0.09 mSv; equivalent radiation doses to the lens of the eye – 1.2 mSv and 2.45 mSv, and to the skin of the hands – 11.96 mSv and 5.59 mSv.

Conclusion. The obtained values of effective radiation doses to the surgeon correspond to the recommended standards for radiation exposure to operating room personnel. The safe level of radiation will be exceeded after approximately 150 transpedicular fixation procedures or 82 PKPs, without taking into account other surgical interventions performed under radiographic guidance.

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