Preoperative oral frailty and malnutrition predict increased complications in gastrointestinal cancer surgeries, highlighting critical risk factors for surgeons.

• 30.9% of patients experienced complications post-surgery.
• Complications surged to 55.2% in patients with both oral frailty (OFI-8 ≥ 4) and malnutrition risk (MNA-SF ≤ 11).

Understanding these predictors enables better patient selection and care strategies prior to surgery.

• A composite score combining OFI-8 and MNA-SF could enhance risk stratification for improved surgical outcomes.