Abstract

The risk deriving from the use of ionizing radiation is now well known. In particular environments such as operating theatres, it takes on a particularly important aspect, involving not only the patients, but also the operators.
The purpose of this work is to describe the strategy employed and perfected in 8 years of activity thanks to the introduction of a new C arm and, in particular, to the joint team work between the Radiographer operating in the Operating Theatre and the Surgeons of different specialties.
The technical-professional approach, not separated from the relational one, has allowed to reflect on the deep, albeit subtle, difference between the concept of “diagnostic image” and “high-definition image” and so obtain a concrete result from the point of view radioprotection, both for the patient and for the operators.
A fundamental point, but also a weakness, is that the new strategy must be shared and applied by all technicians and surgeons, since radiation protection is a team result.

Keywords: dose, reduction, operating theatre