Laparoscopy Represents the Gold Standard for Acute Cholecystitis Even in Elderly Patients

Nowadays the laparoscopic approach represents the gold standard for acute cholecystitis, but we are facing little evidence regarding the elderly patients. The purpose of this study is to define the benefits in terms of early outcome for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients over 70 years old and to compare them with the open cholecystectomy through a retrospective study of patients that underwent a cholecystectomy during 12 months in the Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Romania. Out of 49 patients, 20 had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and 29 an open approach (OC). The mean age was 74,6 ± 4,2 (LC) vs. 77,2 ± 5,4 (OC) (P>0.05). There were 7 (33,3%) (LC) vs. 2 (7,1%) (OC) catarrhal cholecystitis, 13 (62%) (LC) vs. 9 (32,1%) (OC) phlegmonous cholecystitis, and 1 (4,8%) (LC) vs. 17 (60,7%) (OC) gangrenous cholecystitis (P=0.001, Cramer’s V=0,590). The median operative time was 90 (LC) vs. 60 (OC) minutes (P=0.001). There were no differences regarding the ASA risk scale (P=0,253). The median number of days to resume the diet was 3 (LC) vs. 4 (OC) (P=0.009). The median length of hospital stay was 72 hours (LC) vs. 120 hours (OC) (P=0.011). One patient died in the OC group and none in the LC group.To conclude, the laparoscopic approach in acute cholecystitis of elderly patients is safe. It is followed by a lower morbidity rate, a shorter length of hospital stay and by a more rapid return to normal activities.