In plain language
In a phantom simulation of dorsolumbar spine surgery, the operating surgeon's estimated effective dose was 0.152 mSv per procedure, with the highest organ doses in the chest; 0.5 mm lead-equivalent equipment lowered organ doses by 27-43%. Projected high-caseload annual doses reached about 36 mSv.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Phantom or simulation study
- Who was studied
- Orthopedic surgeons, Other surgeons, Phantom or simulation (no people)
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
The calculated effective dose to the simulated operating surgeon, using International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 103 tissue-weighting factors, was 0.152 mSv per procedure.
Key figures: 0.152 mSv per simulated procedure
Illustrative workload extrapolations projected substantial annual effective doses for high-volume spine surgeons.
Key figures: 14.58 mSv/yr for 96 procedures; 36.45 mSv/yr for 240 procedures
Without protection, the highest organ equivalent doses were in the thoracic region, led by the breasts.
Key figures: breasts 0.0430 mSv/procedure; oesophagus 0.0335 mSv/procedure; stomach 0.0280 mSv/procedure; lungs 0.0230 mSv/procedure
Standard 0.5 mm Pb-equivalent protective equipment reduced organ doses, with the reduction reflecting the whole geometric setup rather than intrinsic device attenuation.
Key figures: 27.3%-42.9%
Authors support kerma-area product (KAP)-normalised local dose audits, individual monitoring, and conditional Category A classification for high-volume spine surgeons.
Limits to keep in mind
Anthropomorphic phantom study using a single controlled 50-acquisition protocol at a fixed 50 cm distance; annual doses are illustrative extrapolations specific to the setup, table height and acquisition parameters, not measured staff doses.
Related research summaries
- Radiation in the Orthopedic Operating Room: What We Know, What We Do, and What Needs Attention (2025, Narrative review)
- Literacy in the Scope of Radiation Protection for Healthcare Professionals Exposed to Ionizing Radiation: A Systematic Review (2024, Systematic review)
- AST Standards for Ionizing Radiation Exposure (Guideline or consensus statement)
- Occupational radiation exposure to UK orthopaedic surgeons: a dose monitoring exercise (2026, Dosimetry measurement study)
- SCAI Multi-Society Position Statement on Occupational Health Hazards (2020, Guideline or consensus statement)
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.