• Chee Kidd Chiu, Chan Chris Yin Wei CYW 0000-0001-7245-0295 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence for Research and Learning (NOC, Cheung Jason Pui Yin JPY Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 25809The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China., Cheung Prudence Wing Hang PWH 0000-0002-3213-7373 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 25809The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S, Gani Siti Mariam Abd SMA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence for Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Faculty of Medicine, 37447Unive, and Mun Keong Kwan.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence for Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Faculty of Medicine, 37447University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2021 Jan 1; 29 (1): 2309499020988176.

PurposeIn this study we investigated on the personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, recycling, and disposal among spine surgeons in the Asia Pacific region.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out among spine surgeons in Asia Pacific. The questionnaires were focused on the usage, recycling and disposal of PPE.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty-two surgeons from 19 countries participated in the survey. When we sub-analysed the differences between countries, the provision of adequate PPE by hospitals ranged from 37.5% to 100%. The usage of PPE was generally high. The most used PPE were surgical face masks (88.7%), followed by surgical caps (88.3%), gowns (85.6%), sterile gloves (83.3%) and face shields (82.0%). The least used PPE were powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) (23.0%) and shoes/boots (45.0%). The commonly used PPE for surgeries involving COVID-19 positive patients were N95 masks (74.8%), sterile gloves (73.0%), gowns (72.1%), surgical caps (71.6%), face shields (64.4%), goggles (64.0%), shoe covers (58.6%), plastic aprons (45.9%), shoes/boots (45.9%), surgical face masks (36.5%) and PAPRs (21.2%). Most PPE were not recycled. Biohazard bins were the preferred method of disposal for all types of PPE items compared to general waste.ConclusionsThe usage of PPE was generally high among most countries especially for surgeries involving COVID-19 positive patients except for Myanmar and Nepal. Overall, the most used PPE were surgical face masks. For surgeries involving COVID-19 positive patients, the most used PPE were N95 masks. Most PPE were not recycled. Biohazard bins were the preferred method of disposal for all types of PPE.

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