Carbon Footprint of Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery Performed in the Procedure Room Versus Operating Room Setting.

Purpose: Environmental sustainability is an important issue in health care because of large amounts of greenhouse gases attributable to hospitals. The operating room has been highlighted as one of the highest contributors, prompting several initiatives by organizations focused on the care of hand and upper extremity conditions. This study aimed to quantify and compare the carbon footprint of a common hand surgery in two different surgical settings, the procedure room (PR) and operating room.