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. 2024 Aug 30;111(9):znae225.
doi: 10.1093/bjs/znae225.

The carbon footprint of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Daan J Comes  1 , Stijn Bluiminck  1 , Emma J Kooistra  2 , Lindsey de Nes  3 , Frans T W E van Workum  4 , Hugo Touw  2 , Myrthe M M Eussen  5   6 , Nicole D Bouvy  5   6 , Tim Stobernack  2 , Philip R de Reuver  1
Affiliations

The carbon footprint of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Daan J Comes et al. Br J Surg. .
No abstract available

Plain language summary

Background: Gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide. The keyhole operation treats patients with symptomatic gallstones. This procedure uses many single-use tools and results in a lot of waste. Before we can make this operation more sustainable, we need to assess the amount of waste and CO2 emissions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the types of waste and measure the CO2 emissions created by a gallbladder removal.

Method: We collected waste from 15 gallbladder operations at three hospitals. We noted the medications used and measured the surgery duration to estimate electricity consumption. We also asked all the staff how they travelled to the hospital that day.

Findings and conclusion: The operation produces about 56.5 kg of CO2. The main sources of CO2 are single-use tools, packaging materials and disposable drapes and gowns. This study helps us understand where most CO2 is produced, so we can work on reducing it more effectively.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The carbon footprint of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy Circle diagram of the carbon footprint of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A visualization representing relative contribution to the carbon footprint of one procedure, ordered in a hierarchy. *Sterilization made up 81% of reusable materials. **Volatile anaesthesia gas made up 96% of the total carbon footprint of all administered anaesthesia. Image of the gallbladder was developed by Freepik.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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