Evaluation of the surgical management strategy for acute cholecystitis in patients over 75 years old

Introduction

Acute cholecystitis occurs frequently in the elderly. According to the current recommendations specific to the characteristics of each case, these patients are most often treated by delayed cholecystectomy after medical treatment. Our study aimed to compare the success rate of this strategy in patients over and under 75 years of age.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective single-center analytic observational study that included patients who were hospitalized for acute cholecystitis in a geriatric postoperative unit (unité postopératoire gériatrique [UPOG]) and gastrointestinal surgery unit between 2021 and 2022. The main endpoint was the failure rate of deferred cholecystectomy. Secondary endpoints included: respect for the recommended operative delay, loss of the patient's functional independence during hospitalization, and the reason for surgical abstention.

Results

In total, 290 patients were included. The strategy of delayed elective cholecystectomy was not achieved in 31 (44%) patients 75 years old or older vs. eight (18%) patients younger than 75 years old (P = 0.005). The main reason was the decision not to operate after medical treatment. In both groups, the recommended operative interval was equitably respected and the loss of autonomy during hospitalization was minor. More than one-third of the elderly patients scheduled for elective surgery finally refused to undergo surgery.

Conclusion

The strategy of routine elective cholecystectomy should not be strict in the elderly with acute cholecystitis; the indication for this procedure should take into account the wishes as well as the physiological status of the patient.