Surgical waste in ENT theatre

Background: Operating room waste is believed necessary for patient care and safety, but part of this waste is unused before disposal. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the solid waste discarded before use in operating rooms. The secondary aims were to investigate the cost implications and the awareness among theater staff. Methods: From May 1 to June 30, 2021, all disposable material unnecessarily unpacked was counted, listed and weighed. Knowledge of unused waste was assessed by a survey completed by surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and technicians (n = 49). Results: During the 2-month collection, 116.3 kg of disposable material (worth 2 899.11$ and responsible for the release of 604.76 kg of atmospheric carbon dioxide) were discarded without having been used. Caregivers’ estimates matched neither weight nor cost. Conclusion: Better allocation of disposable material would likely allow operating rooms to reduce waste and increase efficiency.