Frailty Impacts Postoperative Outcomes and Protocol Adherence in Gastric Cancer Surgery

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Verona in Italy have conducted a study on the impact of frailty on postoperative outcomes and protocol adherence in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The retrospective multicenter study included 957 patients who underwent gastrectomy within an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) between 2018 and 2024. The study found that frail patients showed lower compliance with selected preoperative components of the ERP, suggesting the need for targeted strategies to support full protocol implementation in this vulnerable population.

Key Takeaways:

  • Frailty is a known risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
  • The study included 957 patients undergoing gastrectomy within an ERP between 2018 and 2024.
  • Frailty was assessed using the 5-item modified frailty index (5MFI), classifying patients as frail (5MFI ≥ 2) or nonfrail (5MFI < 2).
  • Although overall adherence to ERP items was largely comparable, frail patients showed lower compliance with selected preoperative components.
  • The study suggests the need for targeted strategies to support full protocol implementation in frail patients.
  • Federica Filippini, General and Upper GI Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy, was the lead author of the study.
  • The study was published in the World Journal of Surgery and can be accessed through the Springer website.

Statistics:

  • 957 patients were included in the study.
  • The study included patients undergoing gastrectomy within an ERP between 2018 and 2024.
  • Frailty was assessed using the 5MFI, which classified patients as frail (5MFI ≥ 2) or nonfrail (5MFI < 2).
  • 531 patients were classified as frail according to the 5MFI.
  • 426 patients were classified as nonfrail according to the 5MFI.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from University of Verona Has Provided New Information about Gastric Cancer (Enhanced Recovery Protocols in Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Evaluating the Impact of Frailty). Cancer Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 601.
  • Enhanced Recovery Protocols in Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Evaluating the Impact of Frailty. World Journal of Surgery, 2025.