Environmental effects of surgical procedures and strategies for sustainable surgery

Abstract

There is a bidirectional relationship between climate change and health care. Climate change threatens public health, and health care contributes to climate change. For example, surgery is the most energy-intensive practice in the health-care sector, and gastrointestinal conditions are responsible for a substantial environmental burden. However, environmental costs associated with health care are often overlooked. This issue has been examined more closely in current times. Emerging data are mainly focused on surgery, as the most resource-intensive practice. However, there is still a lack of global awareness and guidance on sustainable surgical practices. This Perspective aims to reassess the evidence on health care and surgery carbon footprints, focusing on gastrointestinal conditions, identify issues that need to be addressed to achieve a more sustainable practice and develop perspectives for future surgical procedures. The proposed framework to mitigate the environmental effects of surgery could be translated to other health-care sectors.

Self-Locking Polymeric Clips Are Safe for the Closure of Appendiceal Stump in Laparoscopic Appendectomy

“…Surgery is one of the most energy-intensive activities, actively contributing to climate change [ 49 ]. Reprocessing and remanufacturing allow for the reuse of some of the medical devices.…”

Comment on the robot smoke suction technique

“…Another factor to consider is that a robotic arm is sacrificed to place the suction device, which the assistant can usually handle even during pelvic dissection. Lastly -interconnected with the need for eye-foot coordination -one should consider that inadvertent, excessive activation of the suction device by using the pedal while operating the energy device could result in an increased amount of CO 2 released, leading to higher volumes of CO 2 utilised and negatively impacting the environmental sustainability [3] of the procedure.…”

Embracing a Sustainable Approach in Gynecology and Obstetrics: The Surgeon's Duty to Safeguard both Patient and Environment

“…This approach recog-nizes the interconnectedness of health and the environment and stresses the importance of considering both when delivering healthcare services. 3 To achieve this goal, it is crucial to educate healthcare professionals about metrics related to greenhouse gas emissions, life cycle analysis, and strategies for reducing environmental impact in healthcare. The 5Rs rule-reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink, and researchcan be effectively applied in medical practice, particularly in the operating room, to promote eco-friendly practices.…”

“…Implementing recycling programs and utilizing telemedicine can also play a crucial role in reducing waste production and supporting sustainability goals. 3,5,6 Hospitals in developed countries play a significant role in the generation of solid waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 1% of the former and 2.1% of the latter on an annual basis. A considerable portion of these emissions is attributed to the operating room (OR) due to the usage of energy-intensive equipment and the emission of anesthetic gases.…”

“…13 The use of reusable gowns can also significantly reduce waste output by up to 70%. 3 Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is known for its benefits, but it also generates a significant amount of waste due to the reliance on disposable surgical instruments. To address this issue, healthcare providers need to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes minimizing material usage, transitioning to eco-friendly anesthetic gases, maximizing instrument reuse, and reducing energy consumption during off-hours in the operating room.…”