Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Video laryngoscope: A boon for airway management in severe facial trauma

We report the use of video laryngoscope for the exchange of orotracheal tube to nasotracheal tube needed for mandibular repair in a case of oromaxillofacial injury

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with intracranial extension – A review of 29 cases

Background: Complete resection has been the preferred treatment for extracranial juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNA) but resection of JNA with intracranial extension (ICE) can be quite challenging because of the associated risk of extensive haemorrhage. The aim of this study was to assess the neurological outcome of patients undergoing surgery for removal of JNA with ICE and analyse various perioperative anaesthetic factors that could possibly affect the outcome. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted including patients with JNA with ICE requiring combined otolaryngological and neurosurgical approach for tumour removal at our centre from January 2001 to December 2010. Patient's medical and anaesthesia records were reviewed and data regarding patient demography, pre-operative investigations, anaesthetic management, post-operative investigations and complications, number of days of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at the time of discharge from hospital were collected and reviewed. Results: A total of 29 patients were operated. The median age of presentation was 15 years. Nineteen patients (65.5%) had a good GOS of 5 at discharge, 7 (24.1%) had moderate outcome with GOS of 4 and 3 patients (10.3%) had poor outcome with GOS of ≤3. There was one mortality in our study. Perioperative factors affecting the GOS at discharge were amount of intra-operative blood loss, intra-operative infusion of packed red blood cells (RBCs) and colloid and post-operative haemoglobin. Conclusion: The outcome of patients with JNA is affected by intra-operative blood loss and transfusion