Impact of delayed elective urological surgery: A prospective observational study

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: = 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.