Observational studyGut2025
Cutting waste in endoscopy: a multicentre observational study in the German healthcare system.
Observational study in Gut, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05921136 (Recycling Potential in Endoscopy), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Recycling Potential in Endoscopy
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEndoscopic procedures are a notable source of medical waste, contributing significantly to environmental pollution. Prior studies report 0.5-3.0 kg of waste per procedure-compared with just 1.2 kg of household waste generated per person per day in Germany.
objectiveTo quantify endoscopic waste in hospitals and outpatient settings, assess its impact on the healthcare system and identify strategies for reduction.
designThis prospective, multicentre, observational study was conducted over 4 weeks in two tertiary hospitals and two gastroenterology offices. Waste from 2275 patients across 2889 procedures was collected, sorted, weighed and categorised for recyclability. National waste generation from GI endoscopy was estimated using published insurance data.
resultsThe average waste per procedure was 1119 g (hospitals: 1167 g; offices: 1094 g). Office-based procedures produced significantly less waste than their hospital counterparts-by 51% for oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), 50% for colonoscopy, 47% for combined procedures and 69% for sigmoidoscopy (all p<0.001). Performing consecutive procedures reduced waste by up to 39% for EGD and colonoscopy, and 33% for endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Switching from single-use to reusable gowns could reduce personal protective equipment waste by 54%. Overall, 23% of waste was potentially recyclable. Nationally, GI endoscopy generates an estimated 8024 tonnes of waste annually-equivalent to the yearly household waste of 18 533 German citizens.
conclusionThe waste generated by endoscopy per year in Germany rivals that of a small town. Adopting targeted waste reduction strategies-focusing on prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery-can substantially mitigate the environmental footprint of endoscopic practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05921136.
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Registered trials
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