Estimating the radiation dose to the fetus during prophylactic internal iliac occlusion in patients with abnormal placentation.

Aims: To evaluate the estimated fetal radiation dose during prophylactic internal iliac arterial occlusion in patients with abnormal placenta and to estimate the risk of radiation induced cancer in child age.

Methods: Prophylactic occlusion of the internal iliac arteries during Caesarean section was performed in 42 patients with placenta praevia and/or placenta accreta spectrum. Fogarty embolectomy catheters were used for prophylactic occlusion of the internal iliac arteries. All procedures were performed in the hybrid operating room using Philips Allura Xper FD 20 X-ray system. Low dose X-ray fluoroscopy (7.5 frames per second) was used. The CODE (Conceptus dose estimation) Software was used to estimate the fetal dose and the risk of radiation induced carcinoma.

Results: Fluoroscopy times required for insertion of Fogarty catheters were 0.5-4.2 min (mean: 1.7 min, median: 1.5 min). The estimated radiation dose to the fetus was 0.26-3.36 mGy (mean: 1.49 mGy, median: 1.25 mGy). The risk of radiation induced cancer in child age was 0.01-0.04% (mean 0.02%, median 0.01%). One patient developed thrombosis of a common femoral artery.

Conclusion: Prophylactic occlusion of the internal iliac arteries is a simple and safe procedure with minimal risk of complications and with a very low estimated radiation dose to the fetus.