Principles of Sustainable Surgical and Anesthetic Practice

jpedsurg.org

The rise of global temperatures is a global public health emergency. 1 Changes in environmental exposures resulting from rising temperatures, sea levels, carbon dioxide, and extreme weather events impact health outcomes. 2,3 For example, severe weather has a direct impact on surgical and anesthetic practice by increasing the number of patients who present with injuries. Children are particularly vulnerable to these changing environmental exposures. 3

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Article · Jan 2026 · 1 min read

In brief

This article examines how climate change impacts surgical and anesthetic practice, including increased injury presentations from extreme weather events. It emphasizes the vulnerability of pediatric populations to environmental health threats and explores principles for reducing healthcare's carbon footprint in perioperative settings.

- Climate change directly increases surgical volume through weather-related injuries, requiring healthcare system preparedness. - Rising temperatures and extreme weather events create new environmental health exposures that disproportionately affect pediatric populations. - Operating rooms contribute significantly to healthcare's carbon footprint; sustainable practices reduce environmental impact. - Anesthetic gases like desflurane have high global warming potential; choosing lower-impact agents reduces emissions. - Waste reduction, energy efficiency, and supply chain optimization are actionable strategies for sustainable perioperative care.

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