Cholecystectomy in two small community hospitals

From 1958 to 1988, the author performed 981 cholecystectomies for nonmalignant gallbladder disease in two small southeastern Minnesota hospitals. Of the 981 patients treated, 708 were women. Among patients under age 40, the proportion of women was even higher, about 9 to 1. The peak age for cholecystectomy in both sexes was between 50 and 70. A normal gallbladder was found in 0.5% of patients, and 0.4% had cholecystitis without stones. The complication rate was 9.7%, and the mortality rate was 0.6%. All of those who died were 70 years old or older. These results compare favorably with those published from large institutions and indicate gallbladder surgery can be performed safely and effectively in small hospitals.