Preoperative Frailty Assessment Research Articles

Why and How Should I Assess Frailty? A Guide for the Preoperative Anesthesia Clinic

Introduction: Frailty is a condition of decreased physiological reserves seen in approx. one third of elderly anesthesiological patients, and affecting many aspects of treatment as well as outcome. Although there are over 60 measurement instruments, frailty assessment is still poorly implemented. Understanding why and how to assess frailty is key to its implementation in preoperative anesthesia clinics. Method: After presenting the impact of perioperative frailty and the benefits of an early diagnosis on health related quality of life, we present an overview of the most important tools that can be used in the preoperative frailty assessment. Results: Early diagnosis offer several optimization opportunities for the perioperative period. The most efficient frailty assessment tools are presented and discussed, including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects. Conclusion: Frailty assessments vary immensely in terms of required time, equipment, and expertise. We recommend at least one test for each domain of frailty, so as to obtain a more holistic view of the patient's physiological reserve. The implementation of an adequate and consistent preoperative frailty assessment has the potential to improve patient safety as well as short and long term outcomes.

Preoperative Frailty Assessment Predicts Loss of Independence Following Vascular Surgery

Frailty is a clinical syndrome associated with loss of metabolic reserves that is prevalent among patients who present to vascular surgery clinics for evaluation. The clinical frailty scale (CFS) is a rapid assessment method shown to be highly specific for identifying frail patients. In this study, we sought to evaluate whether the preoperative CFS score could be used to predict loss of independence after major vascular procedures. We identified all patients living independently at home that were prospectively assessed using the CFS before undergoing an elective major vascular surgery procedure (admitted for more than 24 hours) at an academic medical center between January 2016 and January 2017. Patient and procedure-level data were obtained from our institutional Vascular Quality Initiative registry database. The composite outcome of discharge to a skilled nursing facility or 30-day mortality was evaluated using bivariate and multivariate regression models. The CFS was used to assess 75 independent patients before undergoing elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (9%), endovascular aneurysm repair (17%), thoracic endovascular aortic repair (4%), suprainguinal bypass (8%), infrainguinal bypass (19%), carotid endarterectomy (13%), or a peripheral vascular intervention (29%). Among 21 individuals (28%) categorized as being frail using the CFS, there was no significant difference in age, gender, or hospital length of stay (6 days frail vs 4 days nonfrail; P = .15) compared to nonfrail patients. However, frail patients were significantly more likely to need mobility assistance after surgery (67% frail vs 25% nonfrail; P < .01) and to be discharged to a nursing facility or die within 30 days after surgery (33% frail vs 9% nonfrail; P = .01). Preoperative frailty was associated with an over fourfold higher risk (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-20.7; P < .05) of 30-day mortality or loss of independence, independent of the vascular procedure undertaken. The CFS is a practical tool for assessing preoperative frailty among patients undergoing elective major vascular surgery and can be used to predict the likelihood of requiring discharge to a nursing facility after surgery. The identification of frail patients before major surgery can help to manage postoperative expectations and optimize transitions of care.

Frailty and anesthesia

This review will deliberate on contemporary concepts regarding the frailty syndrome and its association with the perioperative period. Frailty syndrome and its relevance to organ systems, scoring tools and intervention measures will be discussed in detail. Frail patients have a reduced ability to respond to physical stress, similar to a decreased physiological reserve in the perioperative period. Frailty assessment is gaining popularity as a tool to guide medical interventions in the elderly population. Various measurement tools for preoperative frailty assessment were developed and show promising ability to predict perioperative morbidity, mortality and possibly to guide patient selection and intervention. Preoperative optimization for the frail patient shows mixed results. Preoperative frailty is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, frailty assessment tools have been developed and show good ability to predict postoperative adverse events. These tools might become a preoperative routine, as they set the ground for patient's selection, guide perioperative interventions for the frail elderly population and thus may influence patient's outcome.

Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia is a Risk Factor for Early and Late Mortality in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Juxtarenal and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Advances in endovascular aneurysm repair now allow surgeons to treat high-risk patients with complex aortic aneurysms. Stringent selection criteria for repair exist from an anatomic and technical perspective; however, there is a paucity of literature examining frailty in patients being evaluated for fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR). As a marker of frailty well supported in the literature, we hypothesized that preoperative hypoalbuminemia would increase risk for short-term mortality after endovascular juxtarenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. One thousand eighty nine consecutive patients with juxtarenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms considered high risk for open surgery from a single institution who underwent FEVAR from 2001 to 2014 were included in the study. Risk factors for all-cause mortality were identified via a Cox regression model on time to death. The patients with severe hypoalbuminemia (albumin <2.4g/dL) had significantly increased 30-day mortality (P=0.025, odds ratio [OR]: 4.967 (95% CI: 1.385-17.814, normal versus severe) and 2-year mortality P=0.006, OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.05-5.73, normal versus severe), as well as increased 30-day complication rates P=0.026, OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 0.9-4.17, normal versus severe). A univariate analysis for 30-day mortality revealed no significant difference in median age: 75.1 vs. 72.5years (alive at 30 days (Q1, Q3: 69.8, 80.1) versus expired (Q1, Q3: 69.3, 77.8), P=0.24. Patients with hypoalbuminemia have significantly increased mortality risk. Albuminlevel is regulated by nutritional intake and inflammation due to chronic disease, which make it a useful part of a preoperative frailty assessment. Further studies are neededto identify whether optimizing nutrition status will affect albumin levels or decrease mortality.

Association between frailty and readmission within one year after gastrectomy in older patients with gastric cancer.

The incidence of gastric cancer in older people is increasing. Because older patients are at increased risk of postoperative complications and mortality, preoperative risk assessment in this population is important. This study explored whether preoperative assessment of frailty could be useful for predicting the postoperative outcome in patients with gastric cancer. We investigated 223 patients (136 men and 87 women) over 65years of age who underwent gastric cancer surgery from April 2012 to March 2015 at a single institution in Korea. Frailty was assessed using the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) frailty index. Logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting readmission within one year of discharge following gastrectomy. Twenty six (11.7%) patients were readmitted within one year after gastrectomy. Patients in the "robust" and "pre-frail and frail" group had a readmission rate of 6.7% and 19.1%, respectively. After adjusting age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) (score≥1), histological type and stage (III, IV), frailty (pre-frail and frail) was a predictive factor for readmission within one year of discharge after gastrectomy (Odds Ratio, 5.74, 95%; Confidence Interval, 1.78-18.48; p=0.003). Preoperative risk assessment including frailty evaluation can predict the readmission within one year of discharge after gastrectomy. Frailty assessment can help physicians to identify the risk and inform patients and their families of the risk, which should improve decision making in gastric cancer treatment.

Association of Prior Falls with Adverse Outcomes After Neurosurgical Operations in the Elderly.

Despite the increasing number of elderly patients undergoing neurosurgical interventions, there are limited resources for preoperative assessment of frailty in this population. We investigated the association between recent history of falls and surgical outcomes for these patients. We performed a prospective cohort study of all patients, 65 years and older, undergoing elective neurosurgical procedures from 2014-2015 in a tertiary referral medical center. We examined the association of sustaining a fall in the 6 months before the operation with discharge to a facility, readmissions, and complications in the first 30 days after discharge. In order to control for confounding, we used multivariable regression models and propensity score conditioning. Mixed-effects models were used to control for clustering at the surgeon level. During the study period, 143 elderly patients underwent a neurosurgical procedure and met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 53.1% had a history of falls preoperatively. Mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association between preoperative falls and discharge to a facility (odds ratio [OR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.47), 30-day readmissions (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.36-1.78), and 30-day complications (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03-1.23). Similar associations were present in propensity score-adjusted models and models stratified by cranial and spinal procedures. History of at least 1 fall in the 6 months before a neurosurgical operation was associated with increased risk of discharge to a facility, readmissions, and complications in the first 30 days after discharge. History of prior falls should be taken into account during the preoperative risk assessment of neurosurgical patients.

Development and Initial Validation of the Risk Analysis Index for Measuring Frailty in Surgical Populations

Growing consensus suggests that frailty-associated risks should inform shared surgical decision making. However, it is not clear how best to screen for frailty in preoperative surgical populations. To develop and validate the Risk Analysis Index (RAI), a 14-item instrument used to measure surgical frailty. It can be calculated prospectively (RAI-C), using a clinical questionnaire, or retrospectively (RAI-A), using variables from the surgical quality improvement databases (Veterans Affairs or American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Projects). Single-site, prospective cohort from July 2011 to September 2015 at the Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Heath Care System, a Level 1b Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The study included all patients presenting to the medical center for elective surgery. We assessed the RAI-C for all patients scheduled for surgery, linking these scores to administrative and quality improvement data to calculate the RAI-A and the modified Frailty Index. Receiver operator characteristics and C statistics for each measure predicting postoperative mortality and morbidity. Of the participants, the mean (SD) age was 60.7 (13.9) years and 249 participants (3.6%) were women. We assessed the RAI-C 10 698 times, from which we linked 6856 unique patients to mortality data. The C statistic predicting 180-day mortality for the RAI-C was 0.772. Of these 6856 unique patients, we linked 2785 to local Veterans Affairs Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Projects data and calculated the C statistic for both the RAI-A (0.823) and RAI-C (0.824), along with the correlation between the 2 scores (r = 0.478; P < .001). Of these 2785 patients, there were sufficient data to calculate the modified Frailty Index for 1021, in which the C statistics were 0.865 (RAI-A), 0.797 (RAI-C), and 0.811 (modified Frailty Index). The correlation between the RAI-A and RAI-C was 0.547, and the correlations of the modified Frailty Index to the RAI-A and RAI-C were 0.301 and 0.269, respectively (all P < .001). A cutoff of RAI-C of at least 21 classified 18.3% patients as "frail" with a sensitivity of 0.50 and specificity of 0.82, whereas the RAI-A was less sensitive (0.25) and more specific (0.97), classifying only 3.7% as "frail." The RAI-C and RAI-A represent effective tools for measuring frailty in surgical populations with predictive ability on par with other frailty tools. Moderate correlation between the measures suggests convergent validity. The RAI-C offers the advantage of prospective, preoperative assessment that is proved feasible for large-scale screening in clinical practice. However, further efforts should be directed at determining the optimal components of preoperative frailty assessment.

The Utility of Preoperative Frailty Assessment

Purpose of review The geriatric patient population represents an ever increasing proportion of a surgeon’s practice spectrum. With this comes the need to understand the factors largely impacting the geriatric surgical population. One of these factors is frailty. At first glance frailty appears as a simple concept. However, a review of the literature reveals a plethora of definitions, quantification endeavors, and theories attempting to delineate its principle attributes.

Preoperative Frailty Increases Risk of Nonhome Discharge after Elective Vascular Surgery in Home-Dwelling Patients

Patient-centered quality outcomes such as disposition after surgery are increasingly being scrutinized. Preoperative factors predictive of nonhome discharge (DC) may identify at-risk patients for targeted interventions. This study examines the association among preoperative risk factors, frailty, and nonhome DC after elective vascular surgery procedures in patients living at home. The 2011-2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was queried to identify all home-dwelling patients who underwent elective vascular procedures (endovascular and open aortic aneurysm repair, suprainguinal and infrainguinal bypasses, peripheral endovascular interventions, carotid endarterectomy, and stent). Preoperative frailty was measured using the modified frailty index (mFI; derived from Canadian Study of Health and Aging). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of frailty and nonhome DC. Of 15,843 home-dwelling patients, 1,177 patients (7.4%) did not return home postoperatively. Frailty (mFI > 0.25) conferred a significantly increased 2-fold risk of nonhome DC disposition for each procedure type. Frailty, female gender, open procedures, increasing age, end-stage renal disease, and occurrence of any postoperative complication were associated with increased risk of nonhome DC. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, frailty increased the odds of nonhome DC by 60% (odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4-1.8) after adjusting for other covariates. In the presence of complications, the risk of nonhome DC was 27.5% in frail versus 16.5% in nonfrail patients (P<0.001). In the absence of complications, although absolute risk was lower, frail patients were nearly twice as likely to not return home (frail 5.5% vs. nonfrail 2.75%, P<0.001). Frail home-dwelling patients undergoing elective vascular procedures are at high risk of not returning home after surgery. Preoperative frailty assessment appears to hold potential for counseling regarding postsurgery disposition and DC planning.

Preoperative evaluation of the older patient with cancer.

The lack of knowledge has helped us in progressing with the aim of offering the right surgical treatment to the right patient at the right time. Preoperative assessment of frailty identifies those patients who are at a higher operative risk, more prone to develop complications, spend more time in hospital and cost more to the community. Phase IV trials are becoming essential in expanding our understanding, while randomized clinical trials are unlikely to add substantial value in this field of clinical research.

Use of a simplified frailty index to predict Clavien 4 complications and mortality after hepatectomy: analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database

BackgroundAn aging surgical population places an increasing burden on surgeons to accurately risk stratify and counsel patients. Preoperative frailty assessments are a promising new modality to better evaluate patients but can often be time consuming. Data regarding frailty and hepatectomy outcomes have not been published to date. MethodUsing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database, we examined hepatectomy patients 2005 to 11 and correlated frailty scores with outcomes of major morbidity, mortality, and extended length of stay, using a previously validated modified frailty index score. Frailty was compared against age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and other common risk variables. ResultsMultivariate regression identified frailty as the strongest predictor of Clavien 4 complications (OR = 40.0, 95% CI = 15.2 to 105.0), and mortality (OR = 26.4, 95% CI = 7.7 to 88.2). As the frailty score increased, there was a statistically significant increase in Clavien 4 complications, mortality, and extended length of stay (P < .001 for all). ConclusionsFrailty is a significant factor in morbidity and mortality after hepatectomy. Use of the modified frailty index allows for feasibility of data collection in a busy clinical setting.

The assessment and management of older cancer patients: A SIOG surgical task force survey on surgeons' attitudes

AimThe Surgical Task Force at SIOG (International Society of Geriatric Oncology) designed this survey to explore the surgical oncologists' approach toward elderly cancer patients. MethodsA web-based survey was sent to all members of ESSO (European Society of Surgical Oncology) and SSO (Society of Surgical Oncology). ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-one surgeons responded (11% response rate) with a main interest on breast (62.1%), colorectal (43%) and hepatobiliary (27.4%) surgery. Almost all surgeons (>90%) offer surgery regardless the patient's age; only 48% consider mandatory a preoperative frailty assessment. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, nutritional and performance status are most frequently used as screening tools; only 6.4% surgeons use Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in daily practice and collaboration with geriatricians is low (36.3%).If proven to be effective, the majority of surgeons (71%) is prepared to pre-habilitate patients for up to 4 weeks before surgery. One in two surgeons would not offer an operation to patients with impaired cognitive status; conversely, one in three would proceed to surgery regardless of the patient's cognitive status, if functional capacity is conserved. Quality of life and functional recovery are regarded as the most important endpoints in onco-geriatric surgery. Large “real life” prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials are demanded. ConclusionAge is not perceived as a limitation to surgery. Screening for frailty is limited. A thorough CGA is seldom used and collaboration with geriatricians is rather uncommon. There is a need for clinical investigations focusing on pre-habilitation and other strategies to achieve better functional recovery.

Frailty indices as a predictor of postoperative outcomes: a systematic review protocol

Frailty indices as a predictor of postoperative outcomes: a systematic review protocol

Do Surgical Trainees Believe They Are Adequately Trained to Manage the Ageing Population? A UK Survey of Knowledge and Beliefs in Surgical Trainees

Increasing numbers of older patients are undergoing surgery. Older surgical patients are at a higher risk of perioperative complications and mortality. Multimorbidity, frailty, and physiological changes of ageing contribute to adverse outcomes. These complications are predominantly medical, rather than directly surgical. Guidelines recommend preoperative assessment of comorbidity, disability, and frailty in older patients undergoing surgery and closer perioperative collaboration between surgeons and geriatricians. We conducted a survey to assess knowledge and beliefs of surgical trainees toward common perioperative problems encountered in older surgical patients. Paper-based survey. Unselected UK surgical training-grade physicians (CT1-ST8) attending the 2013 Congress of The Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Glasgow, UK, May 1-3, 2013. A total of 160 eligible UK surgical trainees attending the conference were invited to participate in the survey. Of them, 157 participated. Of the trainees, 68% (n = 107) reported inadequate training and 89.2% (n = 140) supported the inclusion of geriatric medicine issues in surgical curricula. Of the respondents, 77.2% (n = 122) were unable to correctly identify the key features required to demonstrate mental capacity, and only 3 of 157 respondents were familiar with the diagnostic criteria for delirium. Support from geriatric medicine was deemed necessary (84.7%, n = 133) but often inadequate (68.2%, n = 107). Surgical trainees support closer collaboration with geriatric medicine and shared care of complex, older patients (93.6%, n = 147). UK surgical trainees believe that they receive inadequate training in the perioperative management of complex, older surgical patients and are inadequately supported by geriatric medicine physicians. In this survey sample, trainee knowledge of geriatric issues such as delirium and mental capacity was poor. Surgical trainees support the concept of closer liaison and shared care of complex, older patients with geriatric medicine physicians. Changes to surgical training and service development are needed.

Abstract 19768: Does Frailty Predispose Patients to Increased Adverse Events after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation for Destination Therapy?

Introduction: Frailty has recently been shown to be associated with increased risk of death after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation as destination therapy (DT), but no data exists specifically analyzing its association with specific early and late adverse events. Methods: Between February 2007 and May 2014, 251 patients (205 male) underwent primary implantation of CF-LVAD at our institution; 157 (63%) were implanted as DT and preoperative frailty assessment was available in 96 pt. Frailty was identified in 58/96 (60%) patients according to the deficit index (31 impairments, disabilities and comorbidities) and defined as &gt; 25% deficits. Age (67 vs. 64 years, p=0.12), male sex (79% vs. 87%, 0.63), chronic kidney disease (64% vs. 63%, p=0.74), creatinine (1.7 vs. 1.5, p=0.1), hemoglobin (11.6 vs. 11.5, p=0.98), and albumin levels (3.7 vs. 3.8, p=0.53) were similar between frail and non-frail pt, while diabetes (59% vs. 13%, p&lt;0.001), ischemic etiology (64% vs. 45%, p=0.04), and preop balloon pump (50% vs. 26%, p=0.01) were significantly different. Results: All patients underwent CF-LVAD implantation and cardiopulmonary bypass time was similar between groups (102 vs. 111 min., p=0.3). There were no significant differences in early adverse events between frail and non-frail pt, including inotrope duration (120 vs. 96 hr., p=0.11), right ventricular failure (19% vs. 13%, p=0.44), respiratory failure (26% vs. 18%, p=0.34), acute renal failure (16% vs. 13%, p=0.69), and hepatic dysfunction (16% vs. 13%, p=0.69). Median length of stay (20 vs. 16 days, p=0.25) and early mortality (12% vs. 8%, p=0.48) were also similar. During a median follow up of 2 years with 224 patient/years of support, any GI bleed (43% vs. 42%, p=0.79), any thromboembolic event (34% vs. 39%, p=0.74), and driveline infection (10% vs. 26%, p=0.052). Conclusions: In this select cohort of patients, frailty did not portend higher risk of adverse events after CF-LVAD implantation for DT despite prior observation that late survival is reduced in these patients. These findings are extremely important in patient selection and counseling of patients prior to LVAD implantation.

Morphomic analysis as an aid for preoperative risk stratification in patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery

BackgroundPatients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery (MHNCS) may develop significant postoperative complications. To minimize the risk of complications, clinicians often assess multiple measures of preoperative health in terms of medical comorbidities. One emerging method to decrease surgical complications is preoperative assessment of patient frailty measured by specific tissue characteristics. We hypothesize that morphomic characteristics of the temporalis region serve as predictive markers for the development of complications after MHNCS. MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 69 patients with available computed tomography (CT) imaging who underwent MHNCS from 2006–2012. To measure temporalis region characteristics, we used morphomic analysis of available preoperative CT scans to map out the region. All available CT scans had been performed as part of the patient's routine work-up and were not ordered for morphomic analysis. We describe the correlation among temporalis fat pad volume (TFPV), mean zygomatic arch thickness, and incidence of postoperative complications. ResultsWe noted significant difference in the zygomatic bone thickness and TFPV between patients who had medical complications, surgical complications, or total major complications and those who did not. Furthermore, by use of binary logistic regression, our data suggest decreased TFPV and zygomatic arch thickness are stronger predictors of developing postoperative complications than previously studies preoperative characteristics. ConclusionsWe describe morphomic analysis of the temporalis region in patients undergoing MHNCS to identify patients at risk for complications. Regional anatomic morphology may serve as a marker to objectively determine a patient's overall health. Use of the temporalis region is appropriate in patients undergoing MHNCS because of the availability of preoperative scans as part of routine work up for head and/or neck cancer.

What is the utility of preoperative frailty assessment for risk stratification in cardiac surgery?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether frailty scoring can be used either separately or combined with conventional risk scores to predict survival and complications. Five hundred and thirty-five papers were found using the reported search, of which nine cohort studies represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. There is a paucity of evidence, as advanced age is a criterion for exclusion in most randomized controlled trials. Conventional models of risk following cardiac surgery are not calibrated to accurately predict the outcomes in the elderly and do not currently include frailty parameters. There is no universally accepted definition for frailty, but it is described as a physiological decline in multiple organ systems, decreasing a patient's capacity to withstand the stresses of surgery and disease. Frailty is manifest clinically as deficits in functional capacity, such as slow ambulation and impairments in the activities of daily living (ADL). Analysis of predictive models using area under receiver operating curves (AUC) suggested only a modest benefit by adding gait speed to a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS score)-Predicted Risk of Mortality or Major Morbidity (PROM) risk score (AUC 0.04 mean difference). However, a specialist frailty assessment tool named FORECAST was found to be superior at predicting adverse outcomes at 1 year compared with either EuroSCORE or STS score (AUC 0.09 mean difference). However, risk models incorporating frailty parameters require further validation and have not been widely adopted. Routine collection of objective frailty measures such as 5-metre walk time and ADL assessment will help to provide data to develop new risk-assessment models to facilitate risk stratification and clinical decision-making in elderly patients. Based on the best evidence currently available, we conclude that frailty is an independent predictor of adverse outcome following cardiac surgery or transcatheter aortic valve implantation, increasing the risk of mortality 2- to 4-fold compared with non-frail patients.

Frailty predicts increased hospital and six-month healthcare cost following colorectal surgery in older adults

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of frailty and 6-month postoperative costs. Methods Subjects aged ≥ 65 years undergoing elective colorectal operations were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Frailty was assessed by a validated measure of function, cognition, nutrition, comorbidity burden, and geriatric syndromes. Frailty was quantified by summing the number of positive characteristics in each subject. Results Sixty subjects (mean age, 75 ± 8 years) were studied. Inpatient mortality was 2% (n = 1). Overall, 40% of subjects (n = 24) were considered nonfrail, 22% (n = 13) were prefrail, and 38% (n = 22) were frail. With advancing frailty, hospital costs increased ( P < .001) and costs from discharge to 6-months increased ( P < .001). Higher degrees of frailty were related to increased rates of discharge institutionalization ( P < .001) and 30-day readmission ( P = .044). Conclusions A simple, brief preoperative frailty assessment accurately forecasts increased surgical hospital costs and postdischarge to 6-month healthcare costs after colorectal operations in older adults.