[Surgery of the gallbladder and bile ducts in the aged]

From 1972 to 1981, 806 patients suffering from diseases of the bile ducts were seen at our Dept. 20% of them were over 70 years of age. Mortality rate, types of surgery, complications and causes of death are dealt with in detail. All the facts given demonstrate the necessity of early surgical intervention in case of surgical diseases of the bile ducts.