Sustainability Publication Digest: Green surgery: a systematic review of the environmental impact of laparotomy, laparoscopy, and robotics

MTRC shares the most relevant and impactful publications in the field of market access and HEOR for medical technologies in Europe through its Sustainability Publications Digest. 

In a recent publication, Cunha et al. systematically reviewed the environmental impact of open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries. The evidence from eight cohort studies revealed that robotic and laparoscopic procedures often generate higher CO₂ emissions than open surgery, largely due to disposable instruments and waste, although shorter hospital stays with robotic procedures may offset this burden. Still, major differences in study methods limited firm conclusions. The authors stressed the importance of standardized life-cycle assessments and incorporating clinical outcomes to better evaluate the sustainability of surgical practice.

Access the full-text article here.