In plain language
In 162 ureteroscopies by one urologist, a minimal-fluoroscopy protocol kept mean fluoroscopy time to 3.3 seconds, and most cases needed none. Staff dose was not measured directly, but less fluoroscopy use likely means less exposure for the operating room team.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Prospective cohort study
- Who was studied
- Urologists, Patients
- Size
- n = 156 renal units with fluoroscopy data (162 procedures)
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
A minimal-fluoroscopy protocol produced very short fluoroscopy times during ureteroscopy.
Key figures: mean 3.3 s, median 2.0 s (0-35 s)
Most cases needed no fluoroscopy apart from stent confirmation.
Key figures: 75% fluoroless; 85% ≤2 s
Radiation dose (air kerma) was low.
Key figures: mean 1.1 mGy, median 0.6 mGy (0.0-17.5 mGy); n=98
Longer fluoroscopy was linked to difficult anatomy or stent placement.
Key figures: >5 s
Fluoroscopy times were far below the pooled literature average.
Key figures: 144 seconds per case (literature)
Limits to keep in mind
Single-surgeon, uncontrolled series compared only with literature values; staff dose was not measured directly and dose data were available for only 98 renal units.
Related research summaries
- ICRP Publication 117. Radiological Protection In Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures Performed Outside The Imaging Department (2010, Guideline or consensus statement)
- ICRP Draft - Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures (Guideline or consensus statement)
- IU Health Handbook of Fluoroscopy Safety (Guideline or consensus statement)
- Fluoroscopy-minimization strategy for catheter ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia by wOmen OPerators: the STOOP Multicentre Registry (2026, Prospective cohort study)
- Two Central Nervous System Tumors in One Catheter Lab: Time to Rethink Radiation Protection (2026, Retrospective cohort study)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 3, 2026.