Colon capsule endoscopy: Can it contribute to green endoscopy?

Abstract

Climate change due to sustained carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions poses a serious threat to human existence, such as extreme weather events that must be addressed in all sectors of society. Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a healthcare sector that produces high levels of CO₂ emissions. Colonoscopy (CS) is the gold standard for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening that reduces the number of CRC-related deaths. However, vast amounts of cleaning solutions used to disinfect the colonoscope are disposed of, and multiple nonrenewable wastes are generated in performing CS, which significantly impact the environment. Currently, colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) retains good accuracy and has excellent potential to reduce CO₂ emission through a simple procedure. However, to date, colon capsules are single-use and lack a clear collection pathway. In addition, there is a lack of specific data regarding the environmental impact of CCE. Further research is needed to prove that CCE is a more environmentally friendly tool than CS.