Medical graduate, Master's student McGill University, Université de Montréal Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Background: This report aims to quantify discarded vascular graft material during cardiovascular surgeries and evaluate the associated financial implications. Understanding graft waste can inform strategies for reducing healthcare costs and improving resource efficiency.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Discarded synthetic vascular conduit remnants were collected from 36 open cardiac and vascular surgeries at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) between 2022 and 2024, with a concrete audit study period in September-October 2024 (28 days' duration). Procedure type, graft specifications, and residual graft lengths were recorded. Leftover graft lengths were measured using a standardized digital technique (ImageJ). Waste was calculated as a percentage of the original graft length. A cost analysis was performed based on procurement data, integrating surgery-specific data with national projections extrapolated from institutional data.
On average per graft, 22.1 ± 11.5 cm of graft material, or 50.0 ± 20.8% of original length, was discarded. Dacron grafts exhibited higher waste (54.5 ± 19.6%) compared to PTFE grafts (39.4 ± 19.5%, p = 0.03). No significant difference was found between aortic (18.5 ± 13.8 cm) and bypass (24.2 ± 9.10 cm) procedure per-graft waste length (p = 0.17). This may cost our center over CAD 229,000 yearly. Nationally estimated, this translates to kilometers of wasted graft material, costing between CAD 2.66 million and 3.74 million annually.
Conclusion: Nearly half of vascular graft material remains unused, underscoring significant inefficiencies in graft utilization. Standardizing graft lengths, optimizing procurement strategies, and exploring customizable packaging may substantially reduce material waste and healthcare costs.
