Frailty Score Correlates with Surgical Outcomes in Optimization Before Surgery

Researchers investigated the correlation between frailty score, pre-surgical optimization, and surgical outcomes in frail patients undergoing optimization before surgery. A retrospective study was conducted on patients referred to the surgical optimization clinic and assessed for frailty, and outcomes were evaluated based on whether they proceeded to surgery or had their surgery cancelled or delayed. The average frailty score was lower in patients who proceeded to surgery compared to those whose surgery was cancelled or not scheduled. Postoperative infection rates were low, but the 30-day readmission rate was high in frail patients cleared for surgery.