(162) IT’S TIME TO THINK GREEN: COULD WE REDUCE SEXUAL MEDICINE SURGERY’S CARBON FOOTPRINT?

Abstract Introduction Efforts to reduce carbon footprints have been increasing in recent years as concern about the environmental impact of healthcare grows. Objective This preliminary study aims to quantify the carbon footprint associated with waste produced in sexual medicine surgeries. Methods In the months of May and June 2024, the type, practice location (hospital or surgery center), and total amount of waste in each procedure were recorded. Procedures included inflatable penile prosthesis implantation, malleable prosthesis implantation, and plaque excision and grafting. The waste in the trash bag was weighed by the attending surgeon using a luggage scale. We also recorded the amount of waste sent to recycling and the amount produced by the anesthesia team as separate measurements. In our center, the waste produced in the surgical setting is eliminated by high-temperature incineration. The carbon footprint was calculated by subtracting the amount of recycled waste reported per procedure and then using an emission factor of 0.949 (0.949 Kg. of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) for every Kg. of waste incinerated). Results The waste produced in 4 different types of sexual medicine surgeries was recorded during this period. The total weight was 100.1 lbs, with an average of 16.68 (+/- 3.79) lbs. The average weight produced by the anesthesia team was 2.92 (+/- 1.78) lb. The average weight of waste that went to recycling was 1.32 (+/- 0.55). The weights broken down by procedure and the carbon footprints are shown in Table 1. Conclusions Quantifying the extent of waste production in surgical procedures is crucial. A better understanding of the carbon footprint of sexual medicine practice is essential to working towards mitigation strategies. This study opens up opportunities for further investigation into the environmental impact of elective surgery and developing strategies for carbon emission reduction. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast, Boston Scientific.