Impact of delayed elective urological surgery: A prospective observational study

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Limited surgical capacity leads to frequent cancellations and prolonged waiting times for elective urological procedures.
• The psychological and physical impact of these delays on patients remains a critical concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychological and physical impact of delayed elective urological surgeries.
• To identify factors associated with increased symptom burden and distress in patients facing surgical delays.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 488 patients undergoing elective urological surgery completed validated questionnaires (NCCN Distress Thermometer, SSS, PROMIS-10).
• Data collected included psychological distress, symptom severity, PROMIS-10 Global Health T-scores, and delay-related complications.
• Surgical postponement rates and waiting times were analyzed in relation to patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• 51% of surgeries were postponed, with a mean waiting time of 23.9 weeks, significantly longer for postponed cases.
• Postponed patients reported higher symptom burden (40.6% vs. 30.1%) and lower Global Mental Health T-scores (43.9 vs. 45.1).
• Complications occurred in 30.1% of postponed patients, including pain, UTIs, and urinary retention.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged waiting times and surgical postponements negatively impact patients' physical and psychological well-being.
• Persistent nursing shortages are a key factor limiting surgical capacity, necessitating long-term structural planning.
• Enhancing resources and maintaining patient-centered care are vital to mitigate harm in elective urological surgery.