The carbon footprint of the perioperative transurethral resection of bladder tumour pathway

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the carbon footprint of the perioperative transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) pathway from decision to treat to postoperative discharge, and model potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies.

Materials and methods: This process-based attributional cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment (LCA) of GHG emissions modelled the perioperative TURBT pathway at a hospital in Southwest England. We included travel, energy and water use, all reusable and consumable items, and laundry and equipment sterilisation. Resource use for 30 patients undergoing surgery was recorded to understand average GHG emissions and the inter-case variability. Sensitivity analysis was performed for manufacturing location, pharmaceutical manufacturing carbon-intensity, and theatre list utilisation.

Results: The median (interquartile range) perioperative TURBT carbon footprint was 131.8 (119.8-153.6) kg of carbon dioxide equivalent. Major pathway categories contributing to GHG emissions were surgical equipment (22.2%), travel (18.6%), gas and electricity (13.3%), and anaesthesia/drugs and associated adjuncts (27.0%), primarily due to consumable items and processes. Readily modifiable GHG emissions hotspots included patient travel for preoperative assessment, glove use, catheter use, irrigation delivery and extraction, and mitomycin C disposal. GHG emissions were higher for those admitted as inpatients after surgery.

Conclusions: This cradle-to-grave LCA found multiple modifiable GHG emissions hotspots. Key mitigation themes include minimising avoidable patient travel, rationalising equipment use, optimally filling operating theatre lists, and safely avoiding postoperative catheterisation and hospital admission where possible. A crucial next step is to design and deliver an implementation strategy for the environmentally sustainable changes demonstrated herein.

Keywords: bladder cancer; environmental impact; surgery; sustainability; sustainable surgery.

Fig. 1

Distribution of total GHG emissions for 30 TURBT perioperative pathways.

Fig. 2

Mean GHG emissions by category for the perioperative TURBT pathway.

Fig. 3

Mean GHG emissions by subcategory for the perioperative TURBT pathway.

Fig. 4

Mean GHG emissions by life‐cycle stage and relevant emissions category for the perioperative TURBT pathway, including sensitivity analysis. Intensity of pharmaceutical relates to estimated GHG emissions intensity associated with manufacture.