Impact of delayed elective urological surgery: A prospective observational study

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the psychological and physical impact of delayed elective urological surgeries, as limited surgical capacity has led to frequent cancellations and prolonged waiting times. Patients and Methods Between July 2023 and September 2025, patients admitted for elective surgery completed questionnaires including the NCCN Distress Thermometer, Severity Symptom Scale (SSS), PROMIS‐10 and items on delay‐related complications. Primary outcomes were psychological distress (NCCN ≥4), symptom burden (SSS ≥ 3) and PROMIS‐10 Global Health T‐scores. Results A total of 488 patients were analysed: 183 (37.5%) with confirmed/suspected oncological diagnoses and 304 (62.3%) non‐oncological. Surgery was postponed in 51% of cases. Mean waiting time was 23.9 weeks (SD ± 19.6), longer for postponed patients (31.8 vs. 15.5 weeks; p < 0.001) and more frequent among non‐oncological patients (64.5% vs. 28.4%; p < 0.001). Postponed patients reported higher symptom burden (SSS ≥ 3: 40.6% vs. 30.1%; p = 0.03) and lower Global Mental Health T‐scores (43.9 ± 5.6 vs. 45.1 ± 5.3; p = 0.03). Regression analyses showed patients in the third and fourth waiting‐time quartiles had higher SSS scores compared with the shortest quartile ( β = 0.36, p = 0.02; β = 0.50, p = 0.001; overall model p = 0.01). Among postponed patients, 30.1% reported complications, most commonly pain (12.9%), urinary tract infection (11.7%), urinary retention (6.4%) and macroscopic haematuria (2.4%). Conclusion Prolonged waiting times and surgical postponements contribute to physical complaints and psychological distress. Persistent nursing shortages constrain capacity, emphasizing the need for long‐term structural planning. Strengthening resources while maintaining patient‐centred care is essential to prevent avoidable harm in elective urological surgery.