Acalculous cholecystitis: results of cholecystectomy

The results in a small series of patients with clinical cholecystitis, but who had no stones, on whom operation was performed are compared with results in a larger series of patients who had stones. The results suggest that, if a clinical diagnosis is made and other causes of symptoms have been excluded, the results of operation are almost as successful as in those having stones. Patients should not be denied operative relief if the symptoms strongly suggest gall bladder disease even if no stones are shown on X-ray examination.