Timing of Surgery and the Radiation Exposure Algorithm
- Radiation exposure + trauma requiring emergency surgery
- Attempt to take surgical emergencies to the operating room
- Within 36-48 hours after high-dose radiation exposure
- Before decline of white blood cell and platelet counts
- Pre-operative administration of white cell cytokines may extend the time window for surgery.
- This algorithm and supporting material provide guidelines, not mandates.
- See REMM Radiation Effects on Blood Counts page for details.