Determining Fluoroscopic Radiation Exposure to the Urology Resident

Abstract

Fluoroscopy has grown to become a critical technology for the modern urologist. The safety of fluoroscopic radiation has been evaluated in a variety of settings however it remains understudied in the urology literature. This study evaluates radiation exposure in the urology fluoroscopic suite. Dosimeter badges were worn by resident and attending urologists to measure radiation exposure during fluoroscopic cases. Exposure was also measured by calculating cumulative air kerma for each case type eg., laser lithotripsy, stent placement. It is estimated that the urology resident and the attending are exposed on average to 3.25 Rem/year and 0.46 Rem/year. Physicians spending above average time in the fluoro suite, i.e., urology residents were not exposed to radiation levels above safety guidelines.