Early surgical intervention in small bowel obstruction can significantly reduce mortality and improve outcomes.

• Surgery within 24 hours cut mortality risk by 47% (risk ratio 0.53).
• Analysis included 47 studies with 12,486 patients, providing robust data on outcomes.

Implementing earlier interventions could be critical for improving patient survival and minimizing complications.

• Delaying surgery past 24 hours may increase bowel resection rates and complications.