Plastic waste in major orthopaedic surgical procedures: descriptive and sources of improvement

The healthcare industry is a significant contributor to single-use plastic waste, particularly in the operating room (OR). This study aims to assess the volume of plastic waste generated during total hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty in the OR and identify areas for improvement.

A prospective transversal study at a tertiary hospital was conducted. All total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) from April to July 2021 were included. The weight of plastic used during patient preparation, anaesthesia, and the surgical procedure was recorded. To calculate the environmental impact, a calculator generated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) was used.

A total of 68 surgeries were included. The mean weight of plastic used in total was 7.3 kg (SD 0.48), with the highest yielding procedure being TKA. It generated a mean of 7.63 kg (SD 0.28), followed by THA at 7.28 kg (SD 0.43), and RSA at 6.87 kg (SD 0.47).

Various scenarios were simulated to evaluate the potential impact of reducing plastic waste. Substituting plastic wrapping with recyclable materials could save 159.6 kg of CO₂ emissions per 100 prostheses. Eliminating non-essential equipment and adopting reusable fabric drapes also showed a significant potential.

The findings highlight the need for environmentally sustainable practices in the OR. In this way, the healthcare sector can contribute to a cleaner and greener world without compromising patient safety.