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Operating Room Waste Generated From Corneal and Conjunctival Surgeries
Shambhawi Thakur1, John D Sheppard1,2,3, Medi Eslani4
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.
Cornea
|May 7, 2024
Summary
Ophthalmic surgeries generate significant surgical waste. Keratoplasties produce comparable or more waste than cataract surgery, while conjunctival surgeries produce less, highlighting the need for environmental sustainability in surgical practices.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Environmental Science
- Surgical Waste Management
Background:
- Surgical procedures generate substantial waste, impacting the environment.
- Awareness of waste production in ophthalmic surgery is crucial for sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare surgical waste from corneal, conjunctival, and cataract surgeries.
- To raise awareness regarding the environmental impact of ophthalmic surgical waste.
Main Methods:
- An observational prospective pilot cohort study was conducted.
- Waste from cataract, cornea, and conjunctival surgeries was weighed, including anesthesia and tissue storage waste.
- Surgical setting and procedure type were analyzed as variables.
Main Results:
- Hospital surgeries generated more waste than ambulatory or minor operating room surgeries.
- Keratoplasties produced comparable or greater waste than cataract surgery; conjunctival surgeries produced less.
- Endothelial keratoplasties generated significantly more waste (P < 0.001, 0.002).
Conclusions:
- Keratoplasties generate comparable or more waste than cataract surgery, while conjunctival surgeries generate less.
- Surgical setting and anesthesia type significantly influence waste generation.
- Assessing ophthalmic surgical waste can drive practice changes for improved environmental sustainability.
