KEY POINTS
- This single-centre feasibility study evaluated the Ting-Sling in 10 adult male patients receiving radiotherapy for proximal lower-limb sarcoma; 7 patients completed experience questionnaires.
- The soft-fabric pouch allowed patients to position their external genitalia away from the treatment field before planning and treatment, with radiation therapists performing a final clearance check.
- Across patient questionnaires, the median score for all domains was 5 of 5, and 98% of responses rated the device as good or excellent; 6 of 7 patients could position the device independently.
- Radiation therapists returned 47 questionnaires comprising 289 completed items. The overall median score was 4.5 of 5, with preservation of patient modesty receiving the highest rating.
- Initial readjustment was required for the first 3 patients, but simplified instructions and modification of the pouch eliminated further adjustments. Dosimetric genital sparing and formal comparison with conventional positioning were not evaluated.
CLINICAL TAKEAWAY
A patient-led genital positioning device may offer a simple and dignified solution for male patients receiving radiotherapy near the proximal thigh or groin. The results support workflow feasibility and acceptability, but the very small cohort, incomplete patient questionnaires, absence of a comparator, and lack of dosimetric evaluation limit conclusions about reproducibility or organ sparing.
SOURCE
Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology