What does this research mean for the field?

Prolonged waiting times and postponements for elective urological surgeries significantly increase patients' physical symptom burden, psychological distress, and risk of complications such as pain and urinary tract infections. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess how delays in elective urological surgeries affect patients' psychological and physical well-being.

April 13, 2026BJUI CompassOpen Access

Impact of delayed elective urological surgery: A prospective observational study

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Why the study?

Limited surgical capacity has led to frequent cancellations and prolonged waiting times, but the psychological and physical impact of delayed elective urological surgeries required evaluation.

Does delayed elective urological surgery increase psychological distress and symptom burden in patients?

Population

488 patients admitted for elective surgery

Comparison

Postponed surgery vs non-postponed surgery

Design

Prospective observational study

Authors

ISIva SimunovicUniversity of Graz HZHanna ZurlBrigham and Women's Hospital JAJulia AltzieblerMedical University of Graz

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Clinicians should minimize elective urological surgery delays; extends evidence linking prolonged waits to worse patient-centered outcomes.

Key Points

This research aims to assess how delays in elective urological surgeries affect patients' psychological and physical well-being.
Administered questionnaires to patients waiting for elective surgeries from July 2023 to September 2025.
Evaluated psychological distress and symptom burden using the NCCN Distress Thermometer and Severity Symptom Scale.
Analyzed waiting times and complications associated with postponed surgeries.
Performed regression analyses to understand the relationships between waiting times and symptom severity.
51% of surgeries were postponed, with a mean waiting time of 23.9 weeks.
Postponed patients reported higher symptom burden (SSS ≥ 3: 40.6%) and lower mental health scores.
Patients in higher waiting time quartiles had significantly increased symptom scores.
Among postponed patients, 30.1% reported complications, notably pain and urinary issues.

Structured PICO

Does delayed elective urological surgery increase psychological distress and symptom burden in patients?

Population

488 patients admitted for elective urological surgery (183 with confirmed/suspected oncological diagnoses, 304 non-oncological)

Intervention

Postponed elective surgery / prolonged waiting times

Comparator

Non-postponed surgery

Outcome

Psychological distress (NCCN ≥4), symptom burden (SSS ≥ 3) and PROMIS-10 Global Health T-scorespatient reported

Prolonged waiting times and surgical postponements for elective urological surgery significantly increase patient symptom burden and psychological distress.

Cite This Study

Simunovic et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69dc88583afacbeac03ea2a3 https://doi.org/10.1002/bco2.70197

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Implication

Clinicians should minimize elective urological surgery delays; extends evidence linking prolonged waits to worse patient-centered outcomes.

Impact of delayed elective urological surgery: A prospective observational study

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Impact of delayed elective urological surgery: A prospective observational study

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider