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Abstract Background To determine whether frailty can predict prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) in older abdominal surgical patients; and to compare predictive ability of the FRAIL scale, the five-point modified frailty index (mFI-5) and Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) for PPOI. Methods Patients (aged ≥ 65 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery at our institution between April 2022 to January 2023 were prospectively enrolled. Frailty was evaluated with FRAIL, mFI-5 and GFI before operation. Data on demographics, comorbidities, perioperative management, postoperative recovery of bowel function and PPOI occurrence were collected. Results The incidence of frailty assessed with FRAIL, mFI-5 and GFI was 18.2%, 38.4% and 32.5% in a total of 203 patients, respectively. Ninety-five (46.8%) patients experienced PPOI. Time to first soft diet intake was longer in patients with frailty assessed by the three scales than that in patients without frailty. Frailty diagnosed by mFI-5 [Odds ratio (OR) 3.230, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.572–6.638, P = 0.001] or GFI (OR 2.627, 95% CI 1.307–5.281, P = 0.007) was related to a higher risk of PPOI. Both mFI-5 [Area under curve (AUC) 0.653, 95% CI 0.577–0.730] and GFI (OR 2.627, 95% CI 1.307–5.281, P = 0.007) had insufficient accuracy for the prediction of PPOI in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Conclusions Elderly patients diagnosed as frail on the mFI-5 or GFI are at an increased risk of PPOI after major abdominal surgery. However, neither mFI-5 nor GFI can accurately identify individuals who will develop PPOI. Trial registration This study was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200058178). The date of first registration, 31/03/2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/ .