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Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Air Pollution Modelling And Control
Evaluating The Environmental Impact Of Quaternary Plastic Surgery: An Eco-audit Of The Autologous Microtia Reconstruction Pathway.

Home
Research Domains
Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Air Pollution Modelling And Control
Evaluating The Environmental Impact Of Quaternary Plastic Surgery: An Eco-audit Of The Autologous Microtia Reconstruction Pathway.

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Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Quaternary Plastic Surgery: An Eco-audit of the Autologous Microtia Reconstruction Pathway.

Zahra Ahmed¹, Alexander Zargaran^1,2, Yasmin Kamel³

¹From the University College London, London, United Kingdom.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open

|May 7, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The carbon footprint of autologous microtia reconstruction surgery is approximately 1004.5 kgCO2eq, with patient travel being the largest contributor. Strategies like hub-and-spoke models can reduce environmental impact.

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Area of Science:

Plastic Surgery
Environmental Science
Healthcare Sustainability

Background:

Autologous microtia reconstruction significantly improves patient quality of life.
This complex, multi-stage procedure's environmental impact remains unexplored.
Understanding the carbon footprint is crucial for sustainable healthcare practices.

Purpose of the Study:

To estimate the carbon footprint of autologous microtia reconstruction.
To identify key contributors to emissions within the patient care pathway.
To propose strategies for reducing the environmental impact of this quaternary plastic surgery.

Main Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 23 patients undergoing autologous microtia reconstruction.
Process mapping and life cycle assessment of surgical and inpatient care.

Calculation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for all stages, including travel.

Main Results:

The estimated carbon footprint for one patient is 1004.5 kgCO2eq.
Inpatient stay contributed significantly (44.6%), while patient travel was the predominant source (83.4% of bottom-up calculations).
Variability in emissions was considered, alongside potential areas for savings.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to quantify the carbon footprint of autologous microtia reconstruction.
Hub-and-spoke models, reduced anesthetic gas use, and sustainable staff travel are potential mitigation strategies.
Addressing the environmental impact is essential for sustainable quaternary plastic surgery.