Green surgery: time to make a choice

Abstract

The operating room is a substantial source of pollution, with the major carbon hotspots determined by the use of energy, the procurement, and disposal of consumables and the waste of water. Mitigating the environmental impact of human activities, including surgical practice, to slow down the climate change has now become a priority for the future of the planet. There is a significant challenge ahead to enable surgery to halve carbon emissions by 2030 in accordance with the Race to Zero UN-backed global campaign. Both SAGES and EAES have recently recognized the role they have to play in raising awareness among their members about the need to gradually change our practice to achieve a better balance between technological advancement and respect for the environment. Since any global challenge demands a global response, out two societies decided to create a joint Task Force to address the topic of minimally invasive surgery and climate change. We will develop recommendations and share good practices regarding mitigation of climate risk in the practice of MIS. Strategic collaborations with device manufacturers will also be part of our effort to address this challenge. We wish that this alliance between SAGES and EAES, together representing and serving more than 10,000 members, might help the surgeons to evolve and improve their practice, letting sustainable surgery shape our culture.