Are CT Scans Safe? Are They Really Needed After Surgery?
With so much information online about medical risks, it’s only natural to feel uncertain, especially when it comes to something like a CT scan.
If you’ve read recent news articles questioning the safety of CT scans, you may be wondering: Is it really necessary to have one before and after surgery? Could it be avoided?
As a patient preparing for surgery, particularly a life-changing facial gender-affirming surgery, there’s already so much on your mind. You want to feel safe, informed, and cared for. That’s where we come in.
What Is a CT Scan? Is It Safe?
A CT (Computed Tomography) scan is an imaging tool that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional views of the internal structures of your body. For facial surgery, it allows surgeons to see the thickness of your bones, nerves, air cavities, and all the subtle details that simply can’t be known with certainty.
True, a CT scan involves exposure to radiation. That’s no secret. You’re receiving many low-dose X-rays in a single, very short scan. However, here’s the most important truth: each dose is small, and the risk, when used sparingly and intentionally, is minimal.
At Facialteam, your safety and well-being are always our top priority. That’s why we choose to work exclusively with the most advanced technology available. Our scans are performed at HC Hospital in Marbella using the Siemens Healthineers SOMATOM go.All.
Our equipment uses:
- Ultra-low dose protocols, tailored to your body and specific medical needs.
- Faster scanning times, so you’re exposed to the lowest amount of radiation possible.
- A wide, comfortable design, which helps you stay still and calm, making the exam quicker and more precise.
- Specialized software that focuses only on the area needed, further limiting exposure.
To put it in perspective: one of our CT scans usually delivers less radiation than a long-haul flight or a few days of natural background exposure from the environment. We are always being exposed to different types of radiation.
Why Do Facialteam Scan Before and After Surgery?
You may wonder: If my surgery goes smoothly, do I really need a CT scan afterward?
Let us explain the essential reasons behind the care we feel you deserve.
Why Have a CT Scan Before Surgery?
Before your surgery, the scan is like a map for our surgeons. It shows them exactly how your bone structure is shaped, helping them plan the procedure with surgical precision. Crafting results that are as natural and harmonious as possible while protecting your health requires this preoperative step.
For example, bone thickness of the frontal sinus may vary enormously, and the location of nerves may vary slightly from person to person. Above all, in the event of reinterventions, the surgeons will need to see where fissures and materials are in order to develop the best plan of action. They are able to foresee complexities and create 3D models that help in preventing complications.
Why Have a CT Scan After Surgery?
Now, after surgery, if everything looks fine and you’re feeling okay, it’s fair to question whether another scan is needed. Yet, feeling and appearing ok in the first days is not a reliable indicator that there might be underlying issues hidden to the eye.
We perform postoperative CT scans to:
- Confirm that healing is evolving as expected.
- Detect any issue that might not yet show symptoms, like swelling or small fluid pockets.
- Document your results for future reference, should you ever need additional care.
We know your body has just been through a lot. We would not deliberately expose you to anything unnecessary without medical justification.
Why Not Use MRI Instead?
You ask, “Can’t we just use an MRI instead? It has no radiation.”
While MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is excellent for viewing soft tissues like the brain, muscles, and organs, it simply doesn’t offer the clarity or precision needed to plan facial bone surgery.
MRIs produce slightly blurry images of rigid mineralized tissue like bone. Their resolution isn’t sufficient to safely design custom cutting guides or to evaluate bone thickness down to the millimeter. In facial surgery, this can make the difference between a safe result or one where a bone becomes too thin or even dangerously exposed.
A CT scan, in comparison, gives a precise 3D image that helps surgeons avoid guesswork. It allows us to know the exact structure of your forehead bone before contouring it, so there’s no risk of accidental perforation of thin plates, for example. We may plan precise jaw and chin reductions based on CT Scans. Hence, we consider both pre and postop CT scans necessary in order to enable safe, tailored care.
Your Health in Gentle, Capable Hands
In a world where medical care seems cold and clinical, we want you to know: that’s not how Facialteam works.
We hold your trust as something precious. Every decision we make is rooted in compassion and proven by science, guided by a deep commitment to your long-term health and happiness.
CT scans, when used wisely, are a safe and effective tool whose benefits outweigh the risks. That’s exactly how we use them, with the same precautions we would want for ourselves.
Finally, thanks to our Facebook Peer Group members for bringing this concern to our attention. We are always keen to listen and help dissipate any worries with expert, science-based reasoning.
If you’re ever in doubt, we encourage you to ask questions. Your voice matters. We’re here to explain everything clearly and walk this journey together, with consideration, professionalism, and humanity.
