To introduce a method of accurately measuring the equivalent dose received by radiation-sensitive organs using the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) and to provide reference values for future studies associated with radiation protection in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgeries. After careful selection and preparation, TLD chips were used to obtain measurements from the eyes, thyroid glands, breasts, and gonads of 20 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgeries. The results were obtained via air kerma conversion-related calculations. The overall radiation exposures absorbed perioperatively by the eyes, thyroid glands, right breasts, left breasts, right ovaries, left ovaries, and testes were 0.41 ± 0.13, 1.43 ± 0.45, 6.95 ± 3.63, 9.50 ± 6.14, 29.86 ± 28.62, 23.47 ± 22.10, and 5.41 ± 1.86 mSv, respectively. A single computed tomography (CT) scan contributed to more than 75% of the overall dose received regardless of the position used. Patients received significantly higher radiation doses from CT scans than from regular digital radiograph examinations. These radiation doses were concentrated in the regional area of scanning. Our results indicate the necessity and benefits of radiation protection measures, especially for the organs researched herein, when patients undergoing lumbar surgeries require radiographic diagnostic examinations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.