Urgent Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy feasible among Older Adults with acute cholecystitis: Study

Results: Among 300 patients selected, 68.3% (n = 205) were aged < 60 years, 19.3% (n = 58) were aged between 60 and 69 years, and 12.3% (n = 37) were aged ≥ 70 years. Patients aged ≥ 70 years had higher rates of comorbidities, higher ASA levels, and lower platelet counts than those in patients aged < 60 years. After adjusting for possible confounders in the multivariable models, older age was significantly associated with longer hospital stays (length of stay, or LOS) (β = 0.56 for patients aged 60–69 years and 1.30 for those aged ≥ 70 years) and correspondingly higher hospital costs (β = 219.69 for patients aged 60–69 years and 302.48 for ≥ 70 years) compared to those for patients aged < 60 years.

No significant associations were found between older age and the occurrence of postoperative complications. Urgent LC with adequate perioperative care is feasible for treating acute cholecystitis in older adult patients. Older age is independently associated with longer LOS and higher costs but not with short-term postoperative complications.

Reference:

Kao, YM., Lu, CY. Impact of age on outcomes and hospital costs of urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Surg 25, 228 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-025-02963-0