Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
PURPOSE: Right-sized surgical trays reduce operative costs and waste. We sought to assess current opinions of surgical instrument utilization in common plastic surgery procedures. METHODS: Surgeons, residents, and operative staff at four academic hospitals were surveyed using an anonymous, online questionnaire from March to September 2023. Questions explored instrument utilization in breast reconstruction, body contouring, aesthetic and gender affirming surgery. RESULTS: Out of 59 respondents, 36 completed surveys (response rate, 61%), half were surgeons and residents, and a third were in practice for ≥10 years. Two-thirds of respondents indicated that 60% of respondents indicated that overall instrument reprocessing costs would either moderately or greatly decrease if right-sized trays were used. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest plastic surgery staff are cognizant of unused resources and support right-sizing for common plastic surgery procedures, placing emphasis on need to implement sustainable methodologies to optimize operative efficiency.
Dorante et al. (Wed,) studied this question.