RADLOST: Radiologic Library of Surgical Tools

The radiographic appearances of surgical tools are not well described in the literature. It is essential for the radiologist to quickly identify retained surgical tools while the patient is on the operating table. The increase in number of surgical tools over time makes it impossible to familiarize oneself with the radiographic appearances of all tools by name. Often the radiologist is called upon to do so however, and so we have created an online radiographic and photographic library of surgical instruments. This serves as a quick reference tool and enables the radiologist to confidently identify or exclude retained surgical foreign bodies.

Each instrument was assigned a folder containing photographs and radiographs. The radiographs were obtained utilizing an x-ray phantom torso. X-rays of the instruments placed on the phantom in various positions were obtained. Images were organized in a website as a library and the site was named RADLOST. In RADLOST the surgical instruments were categorized based on the purpose of use and subcategorized based on the type and size. A search engine was provided to facilitate finding a specific instrument of interest.

The number of complicated surgeries and instruments used per surgery have radically increased in past years. Furthermore emergent surgery and prolonged surgery increase the chances of losing an instrument. It is the radiologist’s responsibility to identify miscounted instruments on X-ray accurately and efficiently to prevent complications. However lack of familiarity with radiographic appearances of surgical tools is an obstacle for a radiologist. Moreover it is impossible to memorize all the instruments and their radiographic appearances. In order to familiarize the radiologists with the radiographic appearances and to provide a guide of instruments, a library was created. This library was incorporated into a website (RADLOST) and is made available to public. This is a unique library of its kind available on the web purely for educational purposes.

RADLOST is a reference tool to quickly and confidently identify or exclude retained surgical instruments preventing further complications.

Purpose: To create a radiologic library of surgical tools that aids in efficiently identifying the unintentionally lost and intentionally placed surgical foreign bodies. Methods: The radiographs of various instruments were obtained utilizing an x-ray phantom torso. X-rays of the instruments placed on the phantom in various positions were obtained. Individual photographs of each instrument were also obtained. Results: Radiographs and photographs were organized in a website as a library and the site was named RADLOST. In RADLOST the surgical instruments were categorized based on the purpose of use and subcategorized based on the type and size. A search engine was provided to facilitate finding a specific instrument of interest. Discussion: The number of complicated surgeries and instruments used per surgery have radically increased in past years. Furthermore emergent surgery and prolonged surgery increase the chances of losing an instrument. It is the radiologist’s responsibility to identify miscounted instruments on X-ray accurately and efficiently to prevent complications. However lack of familiarity with radiographic appearances of surgical tools is an obstacle for a radiologist. Moreover it is impossible to memorize all the instruments and their radiographic appearances. In order to familiarize the radiologists with the radiographic appearances and to provide a guide of instruments, a library was created. This library was incorporated into a website (RADLOST) and is made available to public. This is a unique library of its kind available on the web purely for educational purposes. Discussion: RADLOST can be a very good educational tool to identify lost surgical instruments preventing further complications and medico legal issues. References: 1. Whang G, Mogel GT, Tsai J, Palmer SL. Left behind: unintentionally retained surgically placed foreign bodies and how to reduce their incidence—pictorial review: AJR 2009; 193[suppl]:S79–S89 2. Wolfson KA, Seeger LL, Kadell BM, Eckardt JJ. Imaging of surgical paraphernalia: what belongs in the patient and what does not. RadioGraphics 2000; 20:1665–1673 3. Hunter TB, Taljanovic MS. Foreign bodies. RadioGraphics 2003; 23:731–757

LL-INE1252-SUB

RADLOST: Radiologic Library of Surgical Tools