What complication is a patient with a thickened gastric lesion most likely to face if surgical intervention is delayed?

A patient with a thickened gastric lesion, such as a tumor, is at a higher risk of developing perforation if surgical intervention is delayed. Thickening of the gastric wall can indicate an invasive process, where the structural integrity of the stomach may be compromised. As the lesion continues to grow, it can erode through the layers of the stomach wall, leading to a perforation.

Perforation is a critical condition that poses a significant risk of peritonitis and sepsis, requiring immediate surgical intervention. If the gastric wall is perforated, gastric contents spill into the abdominal cavity, leading to widespread infection and inflammation, which can be life-threatening.

Other complications such as hemorrhage and obstruction may also occur, but they are less directly tied to the immediate consequences of delaying surgery for a thickened gastric lesion. Hemorrhage could happen if a blood vessel erodes due to the mass, while obstruction might result from tumor growth leading to a blockage; however, these conditions typically develop from the lesion's progression rather than being the most immediate or severe consequence of delay. Infection is a potential risk post-perforation but is not an original complication tied to the presence of a thickened gastric lesion.

Therefore, considering the potential complications and the urgency