Reducing the preoperative ecological footprint in otolaryngology

To (1) evaluate the potential for recycling uncontaminated preoperative waste and (2) identify recycling differences within otolaryngology-head and neck surgery subspecialties.

Prospective study.

Three university-affiliated tertiary level hospitals.

Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery operative procedures.

A total of 97 operative procedures were evaluated. Preoperative waste products were sorted into recyclable and nonrecyclable materials; intraoperative waste was weighed for volume but not sorted. The preoperative period was defined as the opening of the surgical supply cart for operating room preparation until procedure initiation. Mass and volume of each type of waste were recorded upon the conclusion of the case.

Approximately 23.1% of total operative waste mass (36.7% by volume) was derived from the preoperative set-up, of which 89.7% was recyclable. Pediatric procedures produced the least recyclable material per operation as a proportion of total waste, which was statistically different than the 2 highest recyclable subspecialties, general and rhinology (P = .006); the remaining subspecialties did not statistically differ in proportion of recyclable material produced.

This study identified a source of clean recyclable materials that could eliminate 21% of operating room waste mass.