Examining items wasted in common pediatric ophthalmic surgeries

To quantify waste from textiles (drapes, gowns, disposable towels) and some plastics (surgical tubing, syringes, and cups) produced from routine pediatric ophthalmic surgery.

This prospective, observational study was conducted at a midsized Midwestern children's hospital and its affiliated outpatient surgical center. Data were collected from pediatric ophthalmic surgeries and included patient weight (kg), height (cm), procedure type, surgical pack utilized, weights of contents (g), and whether contents were used or wasted, defined as being opened and discarded without being used for surgical or protective purposes.

Data were collected from 136 cases of three surgeons over 4 months. The mean total and drape-covered (50% total) body surface area (BSA) among patients was 0.99 m² and 0.50 m², respectively. The mean area among the four drape types utilized was 4.05 m², approximately 8.15 times the mean drape-covered patient BSA. In 95 cases using surgical packs, surgical tubing was wasted in 100% of cases, 10 mL syringes in 93.9%, and disposable towels in 78.0%. The mean cost of excess draping per case relative to drape-covered BSA was $3.16 ± $2.17.

There appears to be potential for reducing waste from textiles and certain plastic materials in pediatric ophthalmic surgery. Further study is needed to evaluate the environmental and financial efficacy of interventions.