Abstract Introduction Single-use items account for approximately two-thirds of carbon emissions in theatre. The aim of this audit was to develop an automated methodology to quantify carbon equivalents from theatre consumables and single-use items from index General Surgery procedures to identify high carbon footprint categories. Methods A cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, inguinal and epigastric hernia repairs, and lipoma/sebaceous cyst excisions, were identified from records using HRG and OPCS-4 codes. A list of consumables recorded through barcode scanning during each case were retrieved from the Genesis Point of Care system and categorised using the NHS eClass system for products and services. Carbon equivalents were calculated using spend-based carbon multipliers from the Department for Environment, Food bilateral: n=48, 148.0 kgCO2e) and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (unilateral: n=194, 151.0 kgCO2e; bilateral: n=101, 213.48 kgCO2e), epigastric hernia repair (n=129, 140.5 kgCO2e), lipoma (n=232, 42.8 kgCO2e) and sebaceous cyst excision (n=529, 51.7 kgCO2e). The majority carbon footprint was from surgical equipment (87%) and dressings (9%), with staff clothing contributing less than 1%. Discussion This study quantifies the carbon equivalents of consumables used during General Surgery operations which in isolation is a vast underestimation of carbon footprint for a clinical pathway. The methodology developed can form part of a framework measuring sustainability across surgical pathways.
Richardson et al. (2025) studied this question.