Introduction:
Rising temperatures, cutting down forests, and exhausting natural resources have immensely influenced the earth’s temperature and severely affected the climate. The climate crisis is a real and urgent global threat that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It is the duty of every individual to do their bit. Even plastic surgeons can help in climate control by practicing certain green practices and using eco-friendly materials for plastic surgery. The operating rooms require a lot of resources, which are wasted several times. Plastic surgeons can adopt a sustainable approach to performing surgeries in the operating room. This article will highlight the various green practices that are being implemented to reduce the carbon footprint and the significance of sustainability in the field of plastic surgery.
What Is Eco-Friendly Plastic Surgery?
Due to the implementation of various green practices adopted by various organizations and industries, the healthcare industry is also trying to practice sustainability using green practices. Eco-friendly plastic surgery is a new trend that has recently emerged in the beauty sector. This philosophy aims to improve people's beauty and aesthetics without harming the environment. Therefore, beauty will be provided, but not at the expense of the earth’s health.
Eco-friendly plastic surgery aims to utilize supplies that are made from renewable resources. The equipment used in cosmetic surgery is recommended to be prepared from recyclable or biodegradable materials to promote sustainability. Single-use plastics are directed to be banned from use in any form whenever possible.
What Are the Effects of Plastic Surgery on Climate Change?
Plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures have markedly increased in the past two decades in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, India, and Japan. The demand for cosmetic surgery procedures has seen a surge due to increased medical tourism. The patients sometimes want to seek plastic surgery abroad. It has been scientifically reported that the three common surgeries in plastic surgery have increased the carbon footprint, which includes rhinoplasty, breast augmentation using silicone breast implants, and abdominoplasty. According to the estimates collected, a lot of waste is generated because of these plastic surgeries.
The use of synthetic products in surgery puts a huge pressure on the planet as they continue to stay in the environment even after their esthetic purpose is solved. Operating room elements such as anesthesia, ventilation, and temperature-regulating devices contribute to greenhouse gas and carcinogen emissions immensely. Approximately 30 percent of hospital waste is generated by the hospitals, including waste products that could be recycled. Moreover, single-use plastic injections, disposables, and gauze further leave a considerable ecological imprint on the planet. Therefore, it is particularly important to deal with the biohazardous impact of plastic surgery on the environment.
What Are the Eco-Friendly Plastic Surgery Ways to Fight Climate Change?
As people are getting more conscious about their environment, green plastic surgery practices are on a surge. All these practices aim to minimize waste production and recycle the available supplies with a reduction in resource consumption. Some of the sustainable ways include:
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Some of the single-use tools in plastic surgery can be sterilized and sanitized properly for reuse, thereby minimizing waste creation. These tools include biopsy forceps, burs, trocars, and carpal tunnel blades that can be reused by plastic surgeons. Also, durable surgical gowns can be bought that can be washed properly and sterilized for repeated usage. This will help cut down on energy consumption. A fourth recycling bin should be introduced in all operating rooms for plastics.
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The energy consumption in the operating rooms should be minimized. Some of the idle operating rooms that are not in use should be monitored carefully. The lights and equipment that are not being used should be turned off to limit the energy waste.
Usually, plastic surgeons wash their hands for three minutes using soap and water, which can lead to water wastage of up to five gallons. This can be reduced by using a surgical hand antiseptic, which will save millions of water on an annual basis.
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Fillers with natural ingredients are better absorbed by the body rather than their synthetic counterparts. So, the use of natural fillers should be promoted.
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Wide-awake-local-anesthesia-no-tourniquet (WALANT) and field sterility surgery are effective alternatives to traditional techniques employed by plastic surgeons for hand surgery. They are cheaper, and they reduce material use. In addition, several scientists have advocated limiting the consumption of postoperative antibiotics after plastic surgery procedures. Also, closed suction drains in breast surgeries can be safely avoided to reduce the carbon footprint.
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Plastic surgeons should make efforts to reduce the expenditure for surgery.
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Recycling programs should be implemented within hospitals and esthetic clinics to minimize the waste created and reverse the environmental repercussions. Recycling programs can include recycling office paper and some medical instruments. This is a practical approach towards sustainability in the operating rooms. Also, waste segregation should be managed consciously to practice sustainability in the healthcare industry.
What Is the Future of Sustainability in Plastic Surgery?
Gradually, eco-friendly plastic surgery is making a mark in the beauty world by following green practices and using eco-friendly materials for plastic surgery procedures. The use of techniques that are energy efficient and the use of biocompatible materials have reduced the ecological burden to a great extent. Also, the patients have become more conscious and considerate towards the planet Earth and aim to improve their aesthetics without causing damage to the environment. Hence, the future of eco-friendliness is bright.
Conclusion:
Practicing sustainability in plastic surgery procedures is the need of the hour to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the ecological footprint of the waste created. Conscious trash management, the use of biocompatible materials, reducing energy consumption in operating rooms, and using recyclable products will promote sustainability in plastic surgery. Both the public, in general, and the hospital management need to implement greener practices for a healthy and safe environment actively.
