BACKGROUND: Frailty, a state of increased vulnerability, is a well-established risk factor of adverse outcomes following surgery. While its prognostic value has been demonstrated in various contexts, data are lacking on its impact in emergency general surgery within the Swiss healthcare system. This study aimed to evaluate the association between frailty and outcomes among older patients undergoing emergency general surgery in a Swiss tertiary hospital.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients aged 65 years or over who underwent emergency general surgery between January 2016 and December 2019. Eligible procedures included laparotomy, bowel resection, peptic ulcer repair, appendectomy and cholecystectomy performed within 72 hours of admission. Frailty was assessed retrospectively using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), based on clinical documentation. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included complications, hospital length of stay and discharge destination. Multivariable regression models were used to analyse associations.

RESULTS: Of 683 patients (median age 76 years; 52.7% female), 38.2% were classified as living with frailty (CFS ≥5). One-year mortality was significantly higher among patients with frailty (25.6%) than those without (6.6%), with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 3.0 (95% CI: 1.7–5.1). Frailty was associated with an increased risk of complications (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5–3.6), prolonged hospital stay (+46.4%; 95% CI: 26.8–69.0%) and discharge to a location other than home (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4–3.2).

CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with worse outcomes after emergency general surgery in older adults. Routine frailty screening could improve risk stratification and guide patient-centred surgical decision-making.