wheeled into the OR. No one on your team would consider working a
case involving intraoperative imaging without wearing a lead apron,
but do they always don leaded eye protection and thyroid shields?
They should.
"The thyroid and eyes are extremely sensitive to chronic radiation
exposure, which is believed to cause most papillary thyroid cancers
and can lead to the formation of cataracts," says Dr. Kaplan.
"Surgeons understand that the eyes are vulnerable to radiation, but
current options are bulky and uncomfortable, and they tend to fog up.
I don't wear mine consistently."
If Dr. Kaplan, who has conducted extensive research on intraopera-
tive radiation safety, isn't fully compliant with wearing proper person-
al protection during procedures, where does that leave members of
your surgical team? Perhaps a perceived lack of practical comfort, not
awareness, might be causing them to go without the protection they
need. That's no longer a valid excuse, however.
"The latest versions of protective equipment are much improved,
and much easier to wear," says Michael Groover, DO, a reconstructive
orthopedic surgeon at the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic Foundation.
"There's no reason it shouldn't be readily available — and used consis-
tently."
He says new leaded eyewear is designed for a better ergonomic fit,
and the latest lead-equivalent full-body protective gear is lightweight
and more comfortable than the heavy, standard-issue lead aprons.
Also consider providing surgeons and staff with custom-fitted vest-
skirt combinations that distribute the weight of the garments and pro-
vide full protection without putting added strain on backs and joints.
"That makes a huge difference during long cases," says Dr. Kaplan.
"I'm also much more likely to take better care of my customized gar-
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