Environmental Impact of Flexible Single-Use and Reusable Video Laryngoscopes

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Medical technology assessment
• Life-cycle assessment

Background:

• Video laryngoscopes are crucial in otolaryngology, with both single-use and reusable options available.
• The environmental impact of medical devices is an increasing concern in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the environmental impact, specifically the carbon footprint, of single-use and reusable video laryngoscopes.
• To quantify the carbon emissions associated with the entire life cycle of these devices.

Main Methods:

• Life-cycle assessments were conducted on single-use (Ambu aScope 4, Karl Storz) and reusable (Storz Video Rhinolaryngoscope 1101HD) video laryngoscopes.
• Data on manufacturing, transportation, reprocessing, and disposal were collected.
• Carbon footprint per procedure was calculated for each device type.

Main Results:

• Single-use laryngoscopes have a carbon footprint per procedure ranging from 5.49 to 7.46 kg CO2.
• Reusable laryngoscopes have a significantly lower carbon footprint of approximately 0.1137 kg CO2 per procedure.
• The carbon footprint of single-use devices can be up to 66 times greater than reusable ones, primarily due to manufacturing and waste.

Conclusions:

• Single-use video laryngoscopes, despite their convenience, pose a significantly greater environmental burden compared to reusable alternatives.
• Healthcare professionals, particularly otolaryngologists, should consider the environmental implications of device selection to promote carbon footprint reduction.
• Further evaluation of water and chemical usage in reprocessing is necessary for a comprehensive environmental comparison.