Sentinel node biopsy in skin melanoma patients--measurements of absorbed doses of radiation to the hands of medical staff

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to measure absorbed doses of radiation to the hands of medical staff performing sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in skin melanoma patients. METHODS: The study was conducted from January 2004 to May 2004, during SNBs (lymphoscintigraphy-(99m)Tc on albumin carrier, surgery after 24 hr; blue dye; intraoperative detection of gamma radiation) in 22 skin melanoma patients. During lymphoscintigraphy and surgical procedures, 57 highly sensitive thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were placed on different parts of the hands of the medical staff. RESULTS: Mean doses of radiation recorded on different parts of the hands of the physician injecting the radiotracer ranged from 2.43 to 84.11 microSv for single procedures, ranged from 3.20 to 5.84 microSv for the hands of surgeon, and ranged from 2.65 to 5.47 microSv for the hands of the remaining members of the medical staff. Absorbed doses of radiation to the hands of helping medical staff present in operating room was only slightly lower than absorbed doses to the hands of operating surgeon and assistant surgeon. CONCLUSION: The maximum recorded dose during this study was 1,900 times smaller than the current 1-year dose limit recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).