To assess the carbon footprint associated with skin cancer excisions and identify strategies to enhance the sustainability of the surgical process.
Approach:
Study Design: A retrospective service evaluation was conducted at a major teaching hospital in London, focusing on patients who underwent skin cancer excision from November 7, 2023, to March 1, 2024.
Process Mapping: The skin cancer pathway was divided into three phases: diagnostic, perioperative, and follow-up, with eight time points for analysis.
Key Findings:
Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy globally, with over 1.5 million new cases in 2022.
Surgical interventions accounted for over 85% of skin cancer treatments from 2013 to 2021.
The study highlights the need for sustainability in surgical practices, particularly in the context of skin cancer excisions, to reduce carbon emissions.
Limitations:
The study is limited to a specific hospital and timeframe, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Only elective skin cancer excisions were included, excluding other treatment modalities.
Conclusion:
The investigation aims to identify carbon hotspots in skin cancer excisions and recommend strategies for improving sustainability.
