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Determinants of waste generation in operating rooms
Annika Steinmeier1, Nicole Feder2, Robert Mahlow2
1Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. annika.steinmeier@charite.de.
International Orthopaedics
|March 2, 2026
Summary
Hospital operating room waste, particularly in orthopaedics and traumatology, is significantly influenced by the anatomical region and operation duration. Understanding these factors is key to developing effective waste reduction strategies for environmental sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Healthcare Management
- Surgical Waste Management
Background:
- Hospital waste contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions, impacting environmental sustainability.
- Effective waste management is crucial, especially concerning surgical waste from operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors influencing surgical waste generation.
- Specifically investigating waste generation in orthopaedics and traumatology operations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study measuring waste and drapes from 272 orthopaedic and trauma surgeries.
- Analysis of waste production based on anatomical region, operation type, and duration.
Main Results:
- Waste amount significantly varied by anatomical region (p < 0.001).
- Drapes showed significant regional differences (p < 0.001), while waste did not when drapes were separated.
- Operation type and duration significantly correlated with increased waste (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Surgical waste is influenced by anatomical site and required drapes.
- Longer operation durations directly correlate with higher waste volumes.
- Findings can inform targeted strategies for reducing operating room waste.
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