1451 IMPLEMENTATION OF A REDUCED FLUOROSCOPIC PROTOCOL DURING URETEROSCOPIC LITHOTRIPSY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES RADIATION EXPOSURE

Daniel Greene, Ryan Bowman, Christopher Tenggardjaja, Kamyar Ebrahimi, Gautum Agarwal, Dalton D. Baldwin

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting abstractpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although the long-term effects of radiation exposure are not completely understood, the lowest possible radiation dose"As Low as Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) should be used during medical imaging. The purpose of this study was to compare fluoroscopy times before and after the implementation of a protocol designed to reduce radiation exposure during ureteroscopic lithotripsy. METHOD(S): A retrospective review was conducted of 300 consecutive patients who underwent ureteroscopy at a single institution from November 2006 to September 2009. Patients undergoing simple ureteroscopy without ancillary procedures or balloon dilation were specifically studied to determine the effect of a reduced fluoroscopy protocol implemented in January of 2009. The protocol introduced many measures such as substitution of visual and tactile cues instead of fluoroscopic images while placing guidewires, ureteroscopes and stents. Other measures included a laser-guided C-arm, designated fluoroscopy technician and visualization of the bladder curve cystoscopically. Fluoroscopy times were compared between groups using a paired t-test with p
Original languageAmerican English
JournalThe Journal of Urology
Volume183
Issue number4S
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2010

Disciplines

  • Radiology
  • Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Urology

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