Four Ways Plastic Surgeons Can Fight Climate Change

• Main Authors: Ciara Brown, MD, Clifton Meals, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer 2020-07-01
• Series: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
• Online Access: http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002961

Background:. The climate crisis demands that surgeons reduce their environmental impact. Operating rooms are resource-intensive and are often wasteful. This makes them fitting targets for climate-conscious decision making. Methods:. We searched for peer-reviewed literature describing how plastic surgeons might positively affect the environment through action in the operating room. Results:. Several evidence-based, pro-climate practices may be undertaken by plastic surgeons. These strategies may be grouped into 4 types: material, energy, technique, and dissemination. Each strategy is a way to reduce, reuse, recycle, research, or rethink. Conclusions:. Administrative obstacles to greener operating rooms are predictable and surmountable, especially because environmentally minded decisions are likely to save money. We anticipate a surge of environmental consciousness in healthcare. Plastic surgeons, as thought leaders, are well positioned to champion this cause.