The Impact of Delayed Presentation on the Clinical Outcome of Acute Abdominal Surgical Pathologies

Abstract

Introduction: Acute abdominal surgical pathologies represent life-threatening conditions, the absolute majority of which require emergency surgical intervention. In modern practice, delayed hospitalization is a common and notable phenomenon. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of delay on the clinical outcome of acute abdominal surgical pathologies, which plays a decisive role in patient prognosis and well-being.

Methods: The study is based on a retrospective-observational methodology. The subject of the study was the patient database of TSMU First University Clinic who underwent emergency surgery for the mentioned pathologies during 2025. A total of 58 patient medical histories (Form No. 100) were evaluated. Data were statistically processed using electronic spreadsheets, diagnostic protocols, and questionnaires.

Results: According to the study, 53% (n=31) of the patients were male, and 47% (n=27) were female. Elderly individuals predominated in the age category (62%, n=36). Various etiological forms of secondary peritonitis were revealed, where gastrointestinal (perforation) — 25.86% (n=15) and biliary — 18.96% (n=11) were leading. The overall mortality rate was 15.5% (n=9), the majority of which (66.7%, n=6) occurred in patients who presented to the clinic with a delay of 24+ hours. A statistically significant positive correlation was established between delayed presentation and the level of inflammatory markers (P-value for neutrophils = 0.01; P-value for CRP = 0.033).

Conclusion: Delayed hospitalization directly increases the likelihood of disease complications, the risk of developing peritonitis and sepsis, as well as the need for intensive care treatment. Early hospitalization is critically important to improve the prognosis of acute abdominal surgical pathologies.