Environmental sustainability in the operating room: perspectives and practice patterns of general surgeons in Canada

As key contributors to surgical emissions and leaders in the operating room (OR) environment, surgeons are uniquely poised to address surgical sustainability. The University of Alberta conducted a survey to characterize Canadian general surgeons' attitudes on OR sustainability, identify practice patterns nationwide that contribute to the OR carbon footprint, and gather ideas on improving environmental sustainability within surgery. The survey completion rate was 19.8%, with a total of 270 responses. Most surgeons agreed that environmental sustainability in the OR is important and that there is room for improving sustainability in their surgical practices. Most surgeons routinely use disposable materials during an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We identified 3 common perceived barriers to implementing sustainable practices: a lack of reusable options, poor quality of reusable alternatives, and restrictions from the administrative level. We suggest a variety of strategies for improving sustainability at the individual, institutional, and national levels.