The Environmental Impact and Sustainability of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Operating room waste is disposed of in landfill sites, recycled, or undergoes costly, energy-intensive incineration processes. By assessing the quantity and recyclability of waste in primary hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA), we aim to identify strategies to improve sustainability.

Methods

A prospective waste audit of 15 primary THA and 16 primary TKA cases was conducted at a tertiary orthopedic hospital between April and July 2022. Waste was categorized into nonhazardous, hazardous, recycling, sharps, and linens. Each category was weighed. Items disposed as nonhazardous waste were cataloged for a sample of 10 TKA and 10 THA cases. Recyclability of items was determined using packaging.

Results

Average total waste generated for THA and TKA was 14.46 kg a

SUBMITTER: Prakash R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10665707 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature