[Elderly and surgery: impact of frailty on surgical outcome. A literature review.]

Identifying a patient like frail in the preoperative period allows the health profes- sional to adequately transmit information about individual perioperative risks. It should provide an opportunity to discuss the expectations and wishes of the patient for whom an adverse posto- perative outcome is expected. In addition, for high risk subjects, a clinical pathway with a well- structured discharge program can be anticipated in order to avoid hospital prolongations, thus reducing hospitalization costs.