Gallstone Disease in the Elderly

Failure to Perform Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis in Elderly Patients Is Associated with Increased Morbidity, Mortality, and Cost

“…Fifteen percent of men and 24% of women have gallstones by age 70. By age 90, this increases to 24% and 35%, respectively 6. In addition, complications are more common in older patients, occurring in 50,000–150,000 women and 15,000–60,000 men aged 65 and older each year 7.…”

“…Management of complicated gallstones presents a unique set of challenges in the elderly population including delayed presentation, significant comorbid illness, and increased morbidity associated with elective and emergent surgery 6, 20. Adherence to the recommendations for management of acute cholecystitis and the natural history following initial presentation of elderly patients with acute cholecystitis has not been systematically studied.…”