Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the reasons for the cancellation of elective surgeries for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after patients are taken to the operating room.
Materials and Methods: Data from 1743 cases scheduled for elective surgery due to BPH, which were taken to the operating room between December 2011 and June 2024, were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, reasons for cancellation, and clinical course of the 89 patients (5.1%) whose surgeries were canceled in the operating room were evaluated.
Results: The mean age of the patients whose surgeries were canceled in the operating room was 69.2 ± 11.68 years. The most common reasons for surgical cancellations were cardiovascular system-related pathologies, such as uncontrolled hypertension (33.7%) and abnormal electrocardiographic changes (12.4%). A total of 85 (95.5%) patients had an ASA status of 3 or higher. The surgeries of 80 (89.9%) patients were successfully performed at our hospital at a later date. It was determined that 87.64% of the cancellations could have been avoidable.
Conclusion: In our study, the prevalence of elective surgery cancellations due to BPH was found to be 5.1%, with most of these cancellations being avoidable. We believe that rigorous and optimized preoperative patient assessment is crucial in preventing surgical cancellations, especially in procedures involving an elderly population, such as surgeries for BPH.

Key words: Benign prostatic hyperplasia; elective surgery; cancellation; perioperative care; pre-operative management; operating room