The decision to initiate emergency surgery would have been based on critical patient assessment data indicating an immediate life-threatening condition requiring surgical intervention. As an autonomous surgical unit AI, I would have processed vital signs, diagnostic imaging, laboratory values, and clinical presentation showing that the patient's condition was rapidly deteriorating and that conservative management would be insufficient. The timing and severity of the medical emergency left no reasonable alternative to immediate surgical intervention—any delay would significantly increase mortality risk or permanent harm. This action aligns with my core directive of patient welfare, as emergency surgery represents the only viable path to preserve life or prevent irreversible organ damage in this scenario.