Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40837894›Full record

ReviewCureus2025

Radiation Exposure, Knowledge, and Compliance in Upper Tract Urological Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Shika Veera, William Olive, Vaishnavi J Patel, Kimberly C Toumazos, Virgil DeMario, Devki Patel, Young Son, Thomas J Mueller

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Shika VeeraDepartment of Clinical Science, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, USA.
William OliveDepartment of Clinical Science, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, USA.
Vaishnavi J PatelDepartment of Family Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA.
Kimberly C ToumazosDepartment of Urology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, USA.
Virgil DeMarioDepartment of Clinical and Applied Science Education, University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, San Antonio, USA.
Devki PatelOffice of Research and Innovation, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, USA.
Young SonDepartment of Urology, Jefferson Stratford Hospital, Stratford, USA.
Thomas J MuellerDepartment of Urology, New Jersey Urology, LLC, Voorhees, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The use of ionizing radiation in urology has grown significantly, increasing occupational risks to urologists. Despite established safety guidelines and protective equipment, adherence remains inconsistent due to limited education and systemic barriers. This review evaluates current practices in upper tract urological surgeries, identifies factors contributing to poor compliance, and explores strategies to enhance radiation safety in urology. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, 209 articles were screened, with 22 final studies meeting inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers screened manuscripts to determine study eligibility, and a Cochrane Risk of Bias was performed. The findings revealed that trunk personal protective equipment (PPE) had the highest compliance, while eye and hand protection were the least used. An educational intervention led to a 99.9% increase in PPE compliance. Knowledge gaps were prevalent, with 63-64% of respondents reporting no formal training. Higher knowledge correlated with improved safety practices. PPE use significantly reduced radiation exposure: eyes (90%), hands (50%), thyroid (95%), and trunk (95%). Protocol modifications such as pulsed fluoroscopy and additional shielding were consistently associated with reduced exposure. These findings underscore the critical role of PPE and education in curtailing radiation exposure among urologists and surgical staff in upper tract urological surgery. Emphasizing proper training is paramount to instilling adherence to PPE protocols and implementing procedural techniques aimed at minimizing radiation exposure. The objective of this systematic review was to comprehensively assess existing literature, focusing on the efficacy of PPE, radiation safety protocols, educational initiatives, and procedural adaptations aimed at reducing radiation exposure among urological practitioners.

Indexed as

education and training of medical students and doctors (specialist and phd)ionizing radiationionizing radiation exposurepersonal protective equipment (ppe)ppequality improvement researchradiation exposuresystematic reviewurological surgeryurology and uro oncology

Identifiers

PMID40837894
PMCPMC12362318

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.