# metadata.dc.description[].value
Treballs Finals de Grau d'Enginyeria Biomèdica. Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut. Universitat de Barcelona. Curs: 2024-2025. Tutor: Dr. Alberto Biete

# metadata.dc.description.abstract[].value
Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is a specialized technique where radiation is delivered directly
to a tumour bed immediately after surgical removal, significantly reducing treatment duration and
limiting damage to healthy tissue. Today, hospitals considering IORT face a challenging decision
among electron-based systems (IOeRT), low-voltage X-ray units, high-dose-rate (HDR)
brachytherapy, or conventional external-beam IMRT. Currently, there is no practical comparative
guideline tailored to help hospital administrators select the most suitable system based on their
specific clinical, logistical, and financial contexts.
This thesis provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of these technologies by synthesizing
information from an extensive review of the scientific literature, direct observations from leading
hospitals in Barcelona, and structured interviews with medical physicists, radiation oncologists,
surgeons, and healthcare managers. Each technology’s clinical indications, technical complexity,
infrastructure demands, staffing needs, radiation safety requirements, and both initial and ongoing
costs were systematically assessed.
Findings reveal that IOeRT systems offer broad clinical versatility and short treatment times, though
they require substantial infrastructure adjustments. Low-voltage systems offer simpler setup with
minimal shielding but are restricted to specific, smaller surgical cavities. HDR brachytherapy excels
in dose precision for irregular anatomical sites but adds operational complexity and ongoing source
costs. IMRT provides extensive clinical applications but demands significant infrastructural
investment and prolonged treatment schedules.
Ultimately, this thesis serves as a practical resource, equipping hospital decision-makers with clear
criteria to identify and implement the optimal IORT technology that aligns best with their institutional
capabilities and patient care goals.

# metadata.dc.rights[].value
cc-by-nc-nd (c) assir Hamdan BenKssouba, 2025

# metadata.dc.source[].value
Treballs Finals de Grau (TFG) - Enginyeria Biomèdica