12 Steps Toward Sustainability in Gynecologic Surgery

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Surgical Innovation
• Climate Change Mitigation

Background:

• Surgery significantly contributes to climate change through carbon emissions.
• Single-use materials and tools in operating rooms are primary sources of environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present 12 actionable strategies for enhancing sustainability in the gynecology operating room.
• To focus on minimizing the use of disposable products during surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• The study outlines 12 specific recommendations for reducing waste.
• Strategies include reducing glove changes, using custom surgical packs, and opting for reusable equipment.
• Emphasis is placed on avoiding disposable energy devices and minimizing plastic trocar usage.

Main Results:

• Each strategy, though small individually, collectively contributes to a substantial reduction in environmental impact.
• Data supporting the efficacy of these recommendations is presented.
• A toolkit with additional resources is provided to aid implementation.

Conclusions:

• Adopting sustainable practices in gynecologic surgery is crucial for environmental stewardship.
• Minimizing single-use items offers a viable pathway to reduce the carbon footprint of surgical procedures.
• Collective implementation of these strategies can lead to significant positive environmental change.