INTRODUCTION
The frequency of endourological interventions has increased in recent
years. Concordantly, the use of fluoroscopy has also increased during
endourological interventions, especially in stone surgeries. [1]
Therefore, surgeons and operating room staff members may be exposed to
large amounts of radiation. This exposure has the potential to cause
stochastic (mutations, carcinogenesis) and deterministic effects in the
affected individuals [2,3].
The effects of ionizing radiation vary depending on factors such as the
applied radiation dose, the duration of irradiation, and the amount of
protection used. Dosages that occasionally exceed standard limits
typically carry only small and short-term health risks. However,
lifelong exposure to any intensity of radiation poses a greater health
hazard than brief exposure to high amounts of radiation [4].
Therefore, the International Radiation Commission strongly recommend
healthcare professionals not exceed 20 mSv of exposure per year during
any five-year professional period [5]. Other safety principles, such
as radiation protection with glasses, gloves, and thyroid shields (as
low as reasonably achievable [ALARA]), maximizing the distance
between the operating room staff and the x-rays, and minimizing the
total fluoroscopy time must also be regarded. [6]
While radiologists are perhaps best known for using fluoroscopy,
urologists (especially endourologists) also frequently use fluoroscopy,
as do orthopedists and cardiologists [7-10][ While there are many
studies on the potential danger of radiologist exposure to radiation
[9,10], few studies have focused specifically on the risks for
endourologists [9,10]. Despite the routine use of fluoroscopy by
urologists, there is not enough information about the recommended
guidelines for using fluoroscopy and the best radiation protection
protocols for these professionals [11,12]
In this study, therefore, we aimed to evaluate the urologists’ use of
fluoroscopy in endourologic procedures and their theoretical and
practical applications as well as their knowledge of fluoroscopic
protection measures.