Sustainability in surgical practice: a collaborative call toward environmental sustainability in operating rooms.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare system plays a pivotal role in environmental sustainability, and the operating room (OR) significantly contributes to its overall carbon footprint. In response to this critical challenge, leading medical societies, government bodies, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders are taking measures to address healthcare sustainability and its impact on climate change. Healthcare now represents almost 20% of the US national economy and 8.5% of US carbon emissions. Internationally, healthcare represents 5% of global carbon emissions. US Healthcare is an outlier in both per capita cost, and per capita greenhouse gas emission, with almost twice per capita emissions compared to every other country in the world. METHODS: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) established the Sustainability in Surgical Practice joint task force in 2023. This collaborative effort aims to actively promote education, mitigation, and innovation, steering surgical practices toward a more sustainable future. RESULTS: Several key initiatives have included a survey of members' knowledge and awareness, a scoping review of terminology, metrics, and initiatives, and deep engagement of key stakeholders. DISCUSSION: This position paper serves as a Call to Action, proposing a series of actions to catalyze and accelerate the surgical sustainability leadership needed to respond effectively to climate change, and to lead the societal transformation towards health that our times demand.

Comparison of 2D versus 3D in the Basic Single Incision Laparoscopy Training. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Single incision laparoscopic surgery is a technically challenging procedure. The use of 3D laparoscopy can potentially improve training results. The aim of the present study was to compare the short-term effects of the 2D vs 3D single incision laparoscopy training. Methods: Forty novices (25 males and 15 females) with no prior experience in single incision laparoscopic surgery participated in the study. The participants were randomized into 2D or 3D training mode. Results: Twenty participants were assigned to 2D and twenty to 3D training group. Time to finish the first task with the polypropylene ball transfer was significantly shorter in the 3D group with no difference in the total number of errors during the task (p=0.007). Overall number of attempts and number of successful attempts were similar between the groups while the number of errors was significantly higher in the 2D group during the needle grasping task (p=0.033). In the intracorporeal knot tying test the probability of completing the task was significantly higher in the 3D group (p=0.02). Conclusion: 3D training in basic single incision laparoscopy techniques seems to offer advantage over standard 2D training mode.

Robotic pancreatic surgery: old concerns, new perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Described for the first time in 2003, the robotic pancreatic surgery shows interesting results. The evaluation of post-operative outcomes is necessary once we describe an innovative surgical approach. METHODS: We have performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database on robotic pancreatic surgery including malignant and benign indications for surgery. RESULTS: A total of 50 consecutive patients underwent robotic pancreatic surgery (26 pancreatico duodenectomy and 24 distal pancreatectomy) between January 2012 and July 2015 in a single centre. The overall operative time was 425 (390-620) min. In a subgroup of highly selected malignant tumours, we were able to achieve 88% of R0 resection with robotic approach. A number of lymphnodes rose significantly with growing experience (p = .025). The overall major complication rate (15%), as well as pancreatic fistula rate (16%) were acceptable. The two-year overall survival for the whole group was 65%. CONCLUSION: The robotic pancreatic surgery in a highly selected group of patients seems safe and feasible. The cost-effectiveness and long-term oncologic outcomes need further investigations.