title: A novel dosimeter for measuring the amount of radiation exposure of surgeons during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Instadose™.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of Instadose™, a novel dosimeter designed for radiation workers to provide a measurement of the radiation dose at any time from any computer; to determine the amount of radiation exposure during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL); and to evaluate the factors that affect the amount of radiation exposed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two experienced surgeons wore Instadose™ on the outer part of their lead aprons during the PNL procedures performed between December 2013 and July 2014. Patient demographics and stone characteristics were noted. Factors affecting radiation dose were determined. Fluoroscopic screening time was compared with the amount of radiation in order to validate the measurements of Instadose™.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 51 patients with a mean age of 43.41 ±18.58 (range 1-75) years were enrolled. Male to female ratio was 35/16. The amount of radiation was greater than 0.01mSv in only 19 (37.25%) cases. Stone location complexity (p = 0.380), dilation type (p = 0.584), stone size (p = 0.565), dilation size (p = 0.891) and access number (p = 0.268) were not associated with increased radiation exposure. Instadose™ measurements were correlated with fluoroscopic screening time (r = 0.519, p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Instadose™ is a useful tool for the measurement of radiation exposure during PNL. The advantage of measuring the amount of radiation exposure after each PNL operation is that it may aid urologists in taking appropriate precautions to minimize the risk of radiation related complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Bagcilar Training & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emrah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yuruk
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gureser
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Bagcilar Training & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuken
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Bagcilar Training & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kasim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ertas
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Bagcilar Training & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ege Can
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Serefoglu
keywords: exposure; fluoroscopy; kidney stone; percutaneous nephrolithotomy; radiation; urinary stone disease