Ecological sustainability in pediatric anesthesia: current evidence and future directions

Climate change is already disrupting healthcare delivery with perioperative medicine, particularly pediatric anesthesia, being both highly exposed to climate-related shocks and a major contributor to healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This review examines how mitigation and resilience strategies can be integrated into pediatric anesthetic practice.

Sustainability measures in pediatric anesthesia are currently actionable and clinically beneficial. Reducing the use of volatile anesthetics through low-flow techniques, avoiding N2O or desflurane, and increasing the adoption of total intravenous anesthesia lead to substantial reductions in GHG and are associated with better clinical outcomes. EEG-guided anesthesia further reduces unnecessary exposure to anesthetics and improves recovery profiles. The use of reusable warming drapes or the implementation of 10R policies can markedly reduce our footprint without compromising the quality of care.

Sustainable pediatric anesthesia is achievable today and aligns with improved clinical outcomes. Translating evidence into routine practice remains a challenge. Patient safety primacy or entrenched clinical habits continue to slow the adoption of sustainable practices, even when supported by robust data. Success will depend on reframing sustainability as a core component of quality and safety, embedding it within guidelines and audit structures, and supporting clinicians, thereby enabling durable behavior change.