Greener anaesthesia nearly halves emissions, study suggests

Getty/Amparo Garcia

By Olivia Bowthorpe

Changing anaesthetic practices could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as costs, a US study has suggested.

The study involved reducing the use of desflurane and nitrous oxide, introducing low-flow anaesthesia policies and encouraging total intravenous anaesthesia. It took place at six surgical sites.

On average, greenhouse gas emissions attributable to inhaled anaesthetic agents fell from 58kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per anaesthetic use in 2021 to 32kg in 2025.

Lead author Etta Hanlon, researcher at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, said: "Our findings show that hospitals can take meaningful steps to reduce the environmental impact of surgery without compromising safety or quality.

"By making practical changes in anaesthetic selection, reducing waste and giving anaesthesiologists clear feedback, we reduced emissions and costs while maintaining strong patient outcomes."

The team analysed data from at least 90,000 anaesthesia episodes during the study period. Findings were presented at the Anesthesiology 2026 annual meeting in San Diego, California.