Half of synthetic conduits are discarded in open cardiac and vascular surgeries

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Objective</h3> This report aims to quantify discarded vascular graft material during cardiovascular surgeries and evaluate the associated financial implications. Understanding graft waste can inform strategies for reducing healthcare costs and improving resource efficiency. <h3>Methods</h3> Discarded synthetic vascular conduit remnants were collected from 36 open cardiac and vascular surgeries at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) between 2022 and 2024. Procedure type, graft specifications, and residual graft lengths were recorded. Leftover graft lengths were measured using a standardized digital technique (ImageJ). Waste was calculated as a percentage of the original graft length. A cost analysis was performed based on procurement data, with national projections extrapolated from institutional data. Cost of discarded material (price ÷ labeled length) does not imply linear pricing across items nor full life-cycle costs. <h3>Results</h3> On average per graft, 22.1±11.5 cm of graft material, or 50.0±20.8% of original length, was discarded. Polyester grafts exhibited higher waste (54.5±19.6%) compared to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts (39.4±19.5%, p=0.03). No significant difference was found between aortic (18.5±13.8 cm) and bypass (24.2±9.10 cm) procedure per-graft waste (p=0.17). This may cost our center nearly CAD 196,000 yearly, and nationally, this translates to kilometers of wasted graft material. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Nearly half of vascular graft material remains unused, underscoring significant inefficiencies in graft utilisation. Standardizing graft lengths, optimizing procurement strategies, and exploring customizable packaging may substantially reduce material waste and healthcare costs.