MedTrace Logo

The CARBO CARBON Study: a Prospective Observational Comparative Cohort Study on CO2 Emissions From Metacarpal Shaft Fracture Treatment

NCT07521943 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-04-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study examines the environmental impact of two common treatments for hand fractures (metacarpal shaft fractures): surgery and non-surgical care. Healthcare contributes significantly to climate change, and orthopedic surgery in particular can generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Although surgery is frequently used for these fractures, it is not always clearly more effective than non-surgical treatment, and the difference in environmental impact between these options is not well understood.

In this study, researchers will measure and compare the carbon footprint of each treatment pathway, from injury through one year of follow-up. This includes emissions related to medical equipment, energy use, medications, and waste. The goal is to calculate the difference in environmental impact between treatments and to highlight key sources of emissions. The findings may help guide more sustainable healthcare practices without compromising patient care.

Conditions

  • Metacarpal Shaft Fractures
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Non-operative treatment

Non-operative treatment through immediate unrestricted mobilization with optional buddy taping or removable splinting for comfort.

PROCEDURE

Surgical fixation

Open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws or screws only, followed by postoperative imobilisation and rehabilitation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Cecilia Mellstrand Navarro, MD, PhD, ass professor · Karolinska Institutet

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-23
Primary Completion
2028-03-31
Completion
2028-03-31

Countries

  • Sweden

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07521943 on ClinicalTrials.gov