We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in perioperative practice: an emerging concern for surgical safety
Summary
This review highlights the emerging concern of microplastics in surgical environments, noting that single-use plastic equipment in operating rooms generates microplastic particles that can contaminate surgical sites and patient tissues, calling for greater awareness of MP exposure risks in perioperative settings.
Feces, lungs, placentas, and surgical sites are just a few of the human organs and environments where microplastics (MPs) are found. These are present in organs exposed to the outside world through body openings, but information is still lacking. Widespread MP exposure results from growing plastic usage in indoor air, food, and water worldwide. The use of single-use plastic equipment and the resulting production of MPs in tight areas and medical environments – especially operating rooms – present special challenges. With increased MP concentrations seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, new research connects MPs to biological impacts like inflammation and oxidative stress, underscoring possible health hazards. Plastic waste remains a significant environmental issue despite plastics being essential for maintaining medical sterility and preventing infections. This review highlights the need for more research on clinical consequences and methods to reduce MP exposure in healthcare settings.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in the surgical environment
Researchers quantified and characterized airborne microplastics in a hospital operating theatre and adjoining anaesthetic room over a one-week period. They found an average of 1,924 microplastic particles per cubic meter per day in the theatre during working hours, dominated by polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene fragments. The study provides novel data on microplastic exposure in surgical environments where single-use plastics are widely used, and no microplastics were detected during non-working hours.
Microplastics in cardiopulmonary bypass: quantification and characterization of particles across systems
Researchers measured microplastic contamination generated by cardiopulmonary bypass machines used during heart surgery and found significant levels of plastic particles across the systems tested. The study characterized the types and quantities of microplastics produced during machine operation. The findings raise questions about patient exposure to microplastics during cardiac procedures and highlight the need for further research into whether these particles have clinical significance.
Plastic particles in medicine: A systematic review of exposure and effects to human health
Medical plastics including bags, containers, and administration sets release micro- and nanoplastics along with chemical additives that can interact with pharmaceutical constituents, creating an understudied route of direct human exposure. Both primary exposure (during medical treatment) and secondary environmental exposure (from hospital plastic waste disposal) represent potential health hazards.
Microplastics in organ transplantation: An emerging threat requiring immediate action
This review highlights the emerging concern of microplastic contamination in organ transplantation, where particles may enter through airborne exposure, surgical materials, and organ preservation systems. The study suggests that microplastics can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation in immunosuppressed transplant recipients, potentially compromising graft outcomes and warranting urgent attention from the transplant community.
Microplastics exposures in cataract surgery and potential clinical concerns
Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics in people's eyes during cataract surgery, with higher amounts in patients who had diabetes or other eye problems. The plastic pieces were already inside the eye before surgery started, suggesting they came from everyday exposure rather than from the surgical tools themselves. This discovery raises concerns about how microplastics might affect eye health, though more research is needed to understand if they cause harm.