Observations on the incidence of gallstone disease

In an attempt to ascertain whether a real increase in the incidence of gallstone disease existed at the Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, it was determined that, from 1935-1960 inclusive, 1846 gallbladder operations were performed. The operative mortality was 0.9%. The yearly trend in the number of gallbladder operations performed was generally found to be upward. Significant statistical increases were noted in 1959 and 1960. During the same years significant increases were noted in the proportion of males treated, particularly in the eighth decade of life. As a percentage of total surgical discharges, during 1960, the incidence of gallbladder operations exceeded that of appendectomies, which are being performed less frequently than previously. The peak incidence for gallbladder operations, for both sexes, occurred during the fifth decade of life. These observations suggest that in this hospital population a real increase in the incidence of gallbladder operations has probably occurred. It was not possible to form an opinion regarding possible changes in the clinical aspects of gallbladder disease.