Operator Dose Reduction during Transjugular Liver Biopsy Using a Radiation-Attenuating Drape: A Prospective, Randomized Study.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of disposable radiation-absorbing surgical drapes on operator radiation dose during transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB).

Materials And Methods: This dual-arm prospective, randomized study was conducted between May 2017 and January 2018 at a single institution. TJLB procedures (N = 62; patient age range, 19-80 y) were assigned at a 1:1 ratio to the use of radiation-absorbing surgical drapes or standard surgical draping. The primary outcome was cumulative radiation equivalent dose incident on the operator, as determined by an electronic personal dosimeter worn at the chest during each procedure. Cumulative kerma-area product (KAP), total fluoroscopy time, and total number of exposures used during each liver biopsy procedure were also determined.

Results: Mean radiation dose incident on the operator decreased by 56% with the use of radiation-absorbing drapes (37 μSv ± 35; range, 4-183 μSv) compared with standard draping (84 μSv ± 58; range, 11-220 μSv). Radiation incident on the patient was similar between groups, with no significant differences in mean KAP, total fluoroscopy time, and number of exposures acquired during the procedures.

Conclusions: Use of disposable radiation-absorbing drapes reduces scatter radiation to interventionalists performing TJLB.