Investigation of Radiation Exposure of Medical Staff During Lateral Fluoroscopy for Posterior Spinal Fusion Surgery

At a glance

Type of study

Original research, Phantom or simulation study

Who was studied

Orthopedic surgeons, Nurses, Anesthesia staff, Radiologic technologists, Phantom or simulation (no people)

Where

Japan

Topics

Dosimetry and monitoringEye lens and cataractsThyroidPregnancy and reproductive healthPersonal protective equipment

Summary based on

the full text

What it found

• The primary surgeon position received the highest scatter dose at all three heights.

  Key figures: 27.2 μGy/min (80 cm), 38.8 μGy/min (100 cm), 36.3 μGy/min (150 cm)

• The scrub nurse was the second most exposed position, receiving more than the first assistant at gonad and torso heights despite the assistant being closer to the equipment.

  Key figures: 9-12 μGy/min at any height

• The first assistant had low doses at 80 and 100 cm but a high dose at lens/thyroid height.

  Key figures: 16.8 μGy/min at 150 cm; 3.8 and 2.8 μGy/min at 80 and 100 cm

• Estimated annual lens-height dose for the primary surgeon, based on about 4 min fluoroscopy per case and 150 cases per year, could exceed the 20 mSv lens limit without protective eyewear.

  Key figures: 21.78 mGy per year at 150 cm

• Anesthesiologists, circulating nurses and radiologic technologists were in the low-dose range, but almost no part of the room had zero dose.

  Key figures: ≤1 μGy/min

Limits to keep in mind

Single phantom measurement with one lateral fluoroscopy setup over 1 minute, not during real surgery, and without protective equipment in place; annual estimates rest on one hospital's fluoroscopy times.

Related research summaries

• AST Standards for Ionizing Radiation Exposure (Guideline or consensus statement)
• Radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: a narrative review of health effects and novel approaches to ensure radiation safety (2025, Narrative review)
• Radiation Protection in Interventional Radiology (2022, Narrative review)
• Occupational Risks of Chronic Low Dose Radiation Exposure in Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (2013, Narrative review)
• ICRP Draft - Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures (Guideline or consensus statement)