Special Surgical Procedures II
LESSON 2: Procedures in Gynecological and Obstetrical Surgery
Section Ii:
2-28
2-28. RADIUM INSERTION FOR CERVICAL MALIGNANCY
a. General. This procedure involves the insertion of radium into the cervix for the treatment of cancer. The procedure may be accomplished with X-ray film control to ensure accurate placement of the radium. Precautions to protect personnel from undue exposure are taken, and the procedure is monitored by the radiology department.
b. Operative Procedure--Intravaginal or Intrauterine Application. The bladder is identified and decompressed by inserting a Foley catheter. The Foley bag is inflated with a radiopaque medium such as conray for visualization. The patient is placed on an X-ray table or operating table with a cassette, and radium is inserted.
c. Operative Procedure--Interstitial Application. Radium and cobalt needles are available in various lengths with a small diameter for insertion into the tissue surrounding the cervix. They are inserted vaginally with a needle applicator and are used as a supplement to intravaginal or intrauterine sources. To facilitate removal, the needles have wires or threads attached to their distal end.
