OR delays track with longer MIS EGS stays

In 1,355 emergency appendectomies and cholecystectomies, longer time to the OR was associated with more inpatient admission and longer stays—without higher 30-day return visits.

• Median time to surgery was 16 hours; for admitted patients, delays of ≥48 hours were associated with adjusted mean LOS of 6.19 days, versus 3.43–3.78 days with shorter delays.
• The extra stay accrued before surgery; postoperative LOS did not increase with preoperative delay.

This retrospective study at two community hospitals suggests OR access may be a throughput target, but does not show that operating sooner causes shorter stays or supports changing urgency decisions.