Efficacy of the RADPAD Protection Drape in Reducing Operators’ Radiation Exposure in biliary interventions :A Randomized controlled Trial

Even though technology has advanced, exposure to low-dose radiation is an indispensable aspect for an interventional radiologist. The radiation dose that the operator receives varies greatly from procedure to procedure and is influenced by the level of experience, the radiation equipment, the type of surgery, and the patient’s characteristics. An increase in the number and intricacies of procedures causes a further rise in the operator’s being subjected to scatter radiation in the catheterization lab.

Exposure to radiation can cause deterministic and stochastic effects. A case series of interventional cardiologists with left-sided brain tumours raises the pertinent issue newer and better safety precautions to safeguard operators.

The RADPAD (RADPAD 5100A-O; Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc, Lenexa, KS) is a sterile, disposable, lead-free shield that acts as a barrier between the image intensifier and the operator to reduce operator received scatter radiation . No previous studies are available on biliary interventions. The primary aim of the study is to examine the effect of a RADPAD on the operator’s radiation dose, during biliary interventions in a randomized controlled trial.