Comparing radiation receiving dose at 50 Cm distance of the source of radiation and nearby room during fluoroscopic percutaneous nephrolithotomy

ABSTRACT

One of the radioactive sources in operating room is fluoroscopy which is used in a variety of surgical operations. Because the operating room walls are not protected by lead, this study was done to measure the radiation receiving dose at nearby room during fluoroscopic percutaneous nephrolithotomy. After randomization, we measured x-ray in distance of 0.5 m, behind wall [3.50 m], and 30 meter [background dose] in 40 urological procedures in a simultaneous manner for a period of two months by using 12 thermoluminescent chips, and compared the results using independent T test. The total fluoroscopy time was 66.90 minutes and the mean voltage used was 76.38 kV. Mean radiation dose for 40 procedures received at a distance of 0.5 meter was 0.426 +/- 0.188 with minimum of 0.260 and maximum 0.689 mSv, while radiation dose received by a nearby room was zero. There was statistically significant difference between the amount of radiation received at distance of 0.5 meter and the adjoining room [P <0.05]. The amount of radiation received at 0.5 meter was high and safety guidelines should be considered. Furthermore, the dose of radiation received in a neighboring room like the background dose was zero which means that working in adjoining rooms is safe