Reusable laryngoscope blades: a more eco-responsible and cost-effective alternative

Abstract

Introduction: Consumption of single-use medical devices has increased considerably, contributing to the excessive wastage produced during surgical procedures. The present study aimed to describe a methodology to assess the transition from single-use blades (SUB) to reusable laryngoscope blades (RUB) and to assess the ecological and economic impact of the switch.

Methods: The ecological analysis was based on the life cycle assessment method. Based on 30 operating rooms in a single tertiary university hospital, the economic analysis compared the usual SUB supplier with four RUB suppliers considering different costs: blade purchasing and depreciation, reprocessing, logistics and waste management.

Results: In 2021, 17,200 intubations were performed requiring about 147 RUBs. Switching from SUB to RUB led to an annual saving of 26.5 tons of CO₂eq (global warming impact), equivalent to 120 000 km by car. It avoids the extraction of 6.6 tons Oileq (petroleum) and 579 kg of copper (mineral resources) per year. This action also leads to a land occupation reduction of 626 m² per year and water savings of 221.6 m³ per year. The average cost per intubation varies from 3.16 [3.15-3.16] for SUB to 2.81 [2.77-2.85] for RUB, representing an average saving of 0.35 per intubation leading to 5783.50 annual gain [5074.00-6192.00]. RUB are preferable from 3 and 86 uses from an ecological and economic viewpoint, respectively.

Conclusion: In a model of 17,200 intubations /year, switching SUD to RUB would save 26.5 tons of CO₂eq and 6.6 tons of Oileq with 5783.50 annual gain. RUBs are ecologically and cost-effective after 3 and 86 uses, respectively.

Keywords: Carbon footprint; Economic evaluation; Life cycle assessment; Medical waste; Reusable device; Sustainability.