What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Systematic Review. Population: Postoperative complications in frail older ICU patients. Primary outcome: Types and incidences of postoperative complications.

What does this research mean for the field?

Current evidence regarding postoperative complications among frail older adults requiring intensive care is limited and highly heterogeneous, necessitating standardized definitions and systematic reporting to improve comparability. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To map types and incidences of postoperative complications in frail older adults during ICU treatment.

April 12, 2026

Postoperative Complications Among Frail Older ICU Patients

Key Result

A scoping review of 8 observational studies found that evidence describing postoperative complications among frail older adults requiring intensive care remains limited, heterogeneous, and inconsistent.

Key Points

To map types and incidences of postoperative complications in frail older adults during ICU treatment.
Conducted a scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines
Included studies from Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library
Eligible studies focused on postoperative patients aged 65+ identified as frail
Involved 2-stage screening and standardized data charting
Categorized outcomes by organ system, mortality, length of stay, and readmission
Included 8 observational studies from 1345 titles
Postoperative complication reporting was heterogeneous among frail cohorts
Common complications included acute kidney injury, atrial fibrillation, pneumonia, and delirium
Mortality and lengths of stay were frequently reported, but definitions varied

Study Design

Type

Systematic Review

Structured PICO

What are the types and incidences of postoperative complications reported among frail older adults requiring intensive care treatment?

Population

Frail older adults (aged ≥65 years) requiring intensive care treatment postoperatively, identified using validated frailty assessment tools (based on 8 included observational studies).

Outcome

Types and incidences of postoperative complications (categorized by organ system, mortality, length of hospital and intensive care stay, and readmission)

There is a lack of standardized reporting and consistent evidence regarding postoperative complications in frail older adults admitted to the ICU, highlighting a need for systematic definitions to support evidence-based care.

Limitations

Reporting of postoperative complications in frail cohorts was heterogeneous
Definitions and time points for mortality and lengths of stay varied
Evidence remains limited and inconsistent

Abstract

Objectives: To map the types and incidences of postoperative complications reported among frail adults (≥65 y) during intensive care treatment. Methods: A scoping review conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodological guidance and reported following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Sources of evidence included Medline (through PubMed), CINAHL (through EBSCO), and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies enrolled postoperative patients aged 65 years or older who were identified as frail using validated assessment tools. Two reviewers performed 2-stage screening and standardized data charting. Outcomes were categorized by organ system, mortality, length of hospital and intensive care stay, and readmission. Results: Of 1345 titles, 8 observational studies were included. Reporting of postoperative complications in frail cohorts was heterogeneous. Described events included acute kidney injury, atrial fibrillation, pneumonia, delirium, and infectious complications. Mortality and lengths of stay were frequently reported but definitions and time points varied. Conclusions: Evidence describing postoperative complications among frail older adults requiring intensive care remains limited and inconsistent. Standardized definitions and systematic reporting of complications in frail populations are needed to improve comparability and support evidence-based care planning for this vulnerable group.

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