Acute cholecystitis in elderly patients: A case for early cholecystectomy

Summary Background Recent advances in laparoscopic techniques and perioperative care have changed the indications for surgery in elderly patients. Consequently, the willingness to offer early surgery for acute cholecystitis continues to increase. This study aims to assess the perioperative outcome of early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis in elderly patients. Patients and methods All consecutive patients treated by early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis in a major teaching hospital, between January 2002 and November 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The outcome of elderly patients (≥ 75 years) was compared to that of all others. Conversion rate, 30 days morbidity, 30 days mortality and length of hospital stay were assessed. Results Early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis was performed in 703 patients: 121 (17%) aged ≥ 75 years and 582 (83%) aged P P P  = 0.35) as well as mortality did not significantly differ (3% vs. 1%, P  = 0.07). The conversion rate was higher in the elderly group (18% vs. 5%, P P Conclusion Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a treatment well suited to elderly patients with mild and moderate acute cholecystitis.