Background: Several methods can be used to intraoperatively identify pulmonary lesion using radiation technology. However, little is known about patient radiation exposure during chest surgery. We aimed to measure patients' radiation exposure from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) used in a hybrid operating room.
Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical treatment in a hybrid operating room between April 2019 and December 2023 at the Teikyo University Hospital. All data was obtained prospectively, but the study was approved by the IRB as a retrospective study because of repeated extensions of study period in order to collect more cases. Skin radiation exposure was measured using five wearable dosimeters per patient. The measurements were compared to cumulative Air Kerma. Furthermore, the radiation exposure dose on the surgical side, which cannot be measured, was estimated by computer simulation.
Results: Among 182 patients who underwent surgery in a hybrid operating room, radiation exposure measurements were conducted on 67 patients. The patients' mean age was 60.7 years. The average number of CBCT scans was 2.1 (1-5) and the intraoperative identification rate was 100%, with no marking-related complications. Average patient's skin radiation dose was 3.69 ± 5.48 mGy per dosimeter, and cumulative Air Kerma was 25.4 ± 19.3 mGy. The highest radiation exposure was recorded in the 5th intercostal space whereas the lowest was measured in the supraclavicular or 11th intercostal spaces. Referring to phantom and computer simulation data, the 5th and 8th intercostal spaces were significantly more exposed to radiation at not only measurement side but also the surgical field, particularly when the number of CT scans was four.
Conclusion: We found that the patient's 5th to 8th intercostal space was the most radiation exposed area by intraoperative CBCT imaging because the CBCT movement was restricted by the patient's arm, anesthesia machine, and operating table during chest surgery. In future, it is strongly required to research for radiation protection in this area. Furthermore, performing no more than three scans intraoperatively may be preferable in order to protect patients from radiation exposure during CBCT guided thoracic surgery.
Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Navigation surgery; Radiation exposure; Small lung cancer; Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
© 2024. The Author(s).