Effect of Protective Lead Curtains on Scattered Radiation Exposure to the Operator During Ureteroscopy for Stone Disease: A Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a reduction in the total radiation dose to the operator during ureteroscopy (URS) for stone disease by using protective lead curtains.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two studies were planned to compare scattered radiation doses without (nonprotective lead curtain [n-LC] group) and with protective lead curtains (lead curtain [LC] group). In study 1, we measured the spatial distribution of the scattered radiation dose using a human phantom simulating URS for stone management for both groups. In study 2, we prospectively randomized patients undergoing treatment for stone disease with URS into n-LC (n = 62) and LC (n = 61) groups. Scattered radiation doses to the operator during URS were recorded. The primary end point was a reduction in the effective dose to the operator.

RESULTS: In study 1, there was an 80% reduction in dose at the operator area between the n-LC and the LC groups. In study 2, the mean effective doses to the operator in the n-LC and the LC groups were 0.33 ± 0.85 and 0.08 ± 0.08 µSv (P = .003). The mean doses measured at the neck and waist outside of the lead apron and at the chest inside the lead apron in the n-LC and the LC groups were 2.22 ± 4.56 vs 0.84 ± 0.7 µSv (P = .008), 5.48 ± 12.4 vs 0.76 ± 0.89 µSv (P = .001), and 0.10 ± 0.47 vs 0.00 ± 0.00 µSv (P = .001), respectively.

CONCLUSION: These curtains are useful for protecting the operator from scattered radiation, resulting in a reduction of the total radiation exposure for surgeons performing URS.