Healthcare contributes approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with surgical theaters being significant contributors.
Laparoscopic surgeries for IBD (ileocecal resection, subtotal colectomy, LIFT) have measurable carbon footprints assessed via life cycle assessment (LCA).
Environmental impact is emerging as an important outcome parameter alongside quality of life and cost-effectiveness in chronic disease treatment decisions.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of IBD should follow standard clinical criteria; this study focuses on environmental impact of surgical treatments rather than diagnostic methods.
Management
Consider laparoscopic ileocecal resection as an alternative to infliximab in selected Crohn’s disease patients with limited ileocecal disease.
Incorporate environmental impact, including carbon footprint, as a factor in clinical decision-making for IBD treatments with similar clinical outcomes.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor cumulative environmental impact of chronic IBD treatments to inform sustainable healthcare practices.
Risks
Conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery excluded due to differing environmental impact profiles.
Environmental risks include greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change, which indirectly affect healthcare.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Adult patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis undergoing laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgeries have a quantifiable carbon footprint; choice of treatment should balance clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.
Clinical Best Practices
Use life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to quantify environmental impact of surgical procedures.
Develop surgery-specific carbon-reduction strategies based on identified environmental hotspots.
Incorporate environmental impact data into shared decision-making with patients, especially in chronic diseases like IBD.
by L. Munster, B. van der Zwet, J. de Groof, M. Mundt, O. van Ruler, G. D’Haens, W. Bemelman, C. Buskens, M. Duijvestein, T. Stobernack, J. van der Bilt
