Four Ways Plastic Surgeons Can Fight Climate Change.

Area of Science:

• Environmental science and medicine
• Surgical practices and sustainability

Background:

• The climate crisis necessitates environmental impact reduction in healthcare.
• Operating rooms are significant contributors to resource consumption and waste generation.
• Climate-conscious decision-making is crucial for sustainable surgical practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify evidence-based, pro-climate practices for plastic surgeons.
• To explore strategies for minimizing the environmental footprint within the operating room.
• To encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in plastic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of peer-reviewed literature.
• Identification of practices applicable to plastic surgery in the operating room.
• Categorization of strategies into material, energy, technique, and dissemination.

Main Results:

• Several pro-climate strategies were identified for plastic surgeons.
• Practices encompass reducing, reusing, recycling, researching, and rethinking resource utilization.
• Key areas for intervention include material management, energy consumption, surgical techniques, and knowledge dissemination.

Conclusions:

• Administrative barriers to implementing greener operating rooms are surmountable.
• Environmentally conscious decisions in surgery are likely to result in cost savings.
• Plastic surgeons are well-positioned to lead the movement towards environmental consciousness in healthcare.