Association Between the Modified Frailty Index and Short-Term Total Thyroidectomy Complications.

Cohort studyThe Laryngoscope· Jul 2026

Association Between the Modified Frailty Index and Short-Term Total Thyroidectomy Complications.

Tyler Jung, Eman Ahmad, Oluwatobiloba Ayo-Ajibola … Peter S Han

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Endocrine SurgeryCohort studyPrognosisQ1IF 2.3

Higher frailty (mFI-5 ≥3) tied to over twice the odds of neck hematoma after thyroidectomy

Association Between the Modified Frailty Index and Short-Term Total Thyroidectomy Complications.

Tyler Jung … Peter S Han

The Laryngoscope · Jul 2026

Purpose

This study evaluated the predictive value of the mFI-5 score for postoperative outcomes following total thyroidectomy.

Methods

Were stratified by mFI-5 scores (0, 1, 2, ≥ 3) based on the presence of five ICD-10-coded comorbidities.

Results

frailty score of 3 or higher more than doubles neck hematoma risk after thyroidectomy

OR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

Among 65,866 total thyroidectomy patients, postoperative complications increased significantly with higher frailty.

Odds of hypocalcemia rose from mFI-5 = 1 (OR = 1.22 [95% CI, 1.14-1.32]) to mFI-5 ≥ 3 (OR = 1.59 [95% CI, 1.29-1.95]).

More results

Vocal fold paralysis was more likely at mFI-5 ≥ 3 (OR = 2.27 [95% CI, 1.49-3.46]).

Emergency department visits increased progressively with frailty, from mFI-5 = 1 (OR = 1.36 [95% CI, 1.23-1.51]) to mFI-5 ≥ 3 (OR = 2.28 [95% CI, 1.72-3.03]).

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Conclusion

Higher mFI-5 scores were associated with increased postoperative complications after total thyroidectomy. Incorporating frailty assessment into preoperative evaluation may improve risk stratification and patient outcomes.

Association Between the Modified Frailty Index and Short-Term Total Thyroidectomy Complications.

Association Between the Modified Frailty Index and Short-Term Total Thyroidectomy Complications.

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