What is the exception for SSD in specific surgical cases?

In fluoroscopy and radiology, the Source-to-Skin Distance (SSD) is a critical measurement that helps to minimize the radiation exposure to patients during procedures. Typically, regulatory guidelines specify minimum SSDs to ensure safety. In specific surgical situations, however, there may be allowances for reduced SSDs to enable better accessibility and visibility of the surgical site.

The correct answer indicates that in certain surgical cases, the minimum SSD requirement can be as low as 20 cm. This exception acknowledges that surgical procedures might necessitate the use of fluoroscopy closer to the patient to achieve optimal positioning and visualization, particularly in intricate or delicate procedures where precision is critical.

Maintaining a balance between sufficient radiation safety measures and the practical demands of surgical techniques is essential. This specific distance of 20 cm is predefined in guidelines to ensure that while certain allowances are made for the sake of the procedure, a degree of safety is still upheld to protect both patients and medical staff from unnecessary radiation exposure.