Practical solutions for complex surgical problems: right operation, right place, right time1 (Winner, Best Poster Presentation). Predictors of delay to colorectal surgical cancer care in Nova Scotia2. Single-centre experience in the use of the AbClo

Background: Wait times for surgical care for colorectal cancer in Canada are extremely variable, potentially affecting oncologic outcomes.The purpose of this provincial population-level study was to determine patient-, disease-, and system-level factors associated with longer wait times for colorectal cancer surgery.Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study including patients undergoing elective colon and rectal cancer resections between November 2023 and November 2025.Baseline characteristics (clinical and administrative data sets) were compared between patients meeting and exceeding wait time targets (from ready-for-surgery to surgery in 21 days; from pathologic diagnosis to surgery in 42 days) using the Wilcoxon ranksum test for continuous variables and the Pearson χ 2 test for categorical variables.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with delay.Results: Of the 370 patients who underwent elective colorectal cancer resections, only 135 (36%) met the 21-day target from ready-for-surgery to surgery, with a median wait time of 27 days.Multivariable regression identified surgery in central zone (tertiary and quaternary care facilities with subspecialty care) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy as factors strongly associated with surgical delay (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, p < 0.001, and OR 4.4, p = 0.038, respectively).American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥ 3 was associated with lower odds of delay (OR 0.5,