Maintaining good practice in breast cancer management and reducing the carbon footprint of care: study protocol and preliminary results

Maintaining good practice in breast cancer management and reducing the carbon footprint of care: study protocol and preliminary results WCRJ 2022; 9: e2438
DOI: 10.32113/wcrj_202211_2438

Topic: Breast cancer, Surgical oncology Category: Original article

Materazzo M. Department of Surgical Science, Breast Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy , Facchini A. Department of Precision Medicine, University of Study of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy , Garozzo D. Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine and School of Sports Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy , Buonomo C. Department of Emergency and Admission, Critical Care Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthetic Science, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy , Pellicciaro M. Department of Surgical Science, Breast Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
marcopell62@gmail.com , Vanni G. Department of Surgical Science, Breast Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy Abstract Objective: Health care accounts for up to 8-10% of greenhouse emission yearly in the US and surgical room contributes an estimated 25-30% of hospital waste. Despite the major role of greenhouse emissions because of surgery, little has been done by surgeons to reduce their impact. In this paper, we present a multicentric retrospective analysis to evaluate the carbon footprint of the most common breast surgical treatment and a preliminary analysis of our results.

Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis with processed-based life cycle assessment (LCA) has been obtained to determine carbon footprint of different surgical procedures. In our preliminary study, we enrolled all consecutive patients undergoing breast conserving procedure (BCP) between 9th March 2019 and 9th March 2021 to underline the reduction in fuel consumption with postoperative telehealth application (pre-COVID-19 vs. COVID-19). A propensity score matching was implemented to optimize comparability.

Results: From 276 BCP patients, PSM included 69 pre-COVID-19 and 69 COVID-19 groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the tumor stage, marital status, and distance from the hospital. A total of 466 postoperative visits was performed and a statistically significant difference in telehealth visit rate was found between groups (1.75% vs. 51.68%; p<0.001). A reduction of 4312.38 km in travel to the hospital was found in the COVID-19 group. No difference was found in postoperative complications.

Conclusions: Health systems worldwide are implementing zero-carbon programs to reduce their carbon footprint. Breast surgeons should consider the consequences of their actions and embrace the pillars of the circular economy. Our data could promote further action in order to raise awareness regarding carbon footprint of breast surgery.

To cite this article Materazzo M. Department of Surgical Science, Breast Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy , Facchini A. Department of Precision Medicine, University of Study of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy , Garozzo D. Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine and School of Sports Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy , Buonomo C. Department of Emergency and Admission, Critical Care Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthetic Science, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy , Pellicciaro M. Department of Surgical Science, Breast Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
marcopell62@gmail.com , Vanni G. Department of Surgical Science, Breast Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy Maintaining good practice in breast cancer management and reducing the carbon footprint of care: study protocol and preliminary results

WCRJ 2022; 9: e2438
DOI: 10.32113/wcrj_202211_2438

Publication History

Submission date: 12 Oct 2022

Revised on: 03 Nov 2022

Accepted on: 11 Nov 2022

Published online: 21 Nov 2022