Frailty index as a predictor of postoperative outcomes in oral carcinoma patients undergoing surgery: A tertiary care center study.

Abstract

e18049 Background: Frailty is increasingly recognized as a key predictor of adverse outcomes in surgical patients, particularly in those undergoing complex oncological procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of frailty, as measured by the Frailty Index (FI), on postoperative outcomes in oral carcinoma patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary care center. Methods: This prospective cohort study involved 250 patients with oral carcinoma scheduled for surgery. Frailty was assessed preoperatively using the FI, which evaluates comorbidities, nutritional status, cognitive function, and physical performance. Patients were followed for six months postoperatively, and outcomes including complications, length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, and mortality were analyzed. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 63 years, and 40% of patients were classified as frail (FI > 0.30). Frail patients had significantly higher rates of major postoperative complications, including cardiovascular events and infections (p < 0.01). Frail patients stayed in the hospital for 15 days on average, compared to 8 days for non-frail patients (p < 0.05). Additionally, 18% of frail patients were discharged to rehabilitation, versus 5% of non-frail patients. Six-month mortality was 10% in frail patients compared to 4% in non-frail patients. Conclusions: Frailty is a strong predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes. Incorporating FI assessments into preoperative evaluations can guide surgical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.