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[Surgical management of acute cholecystitis in elderly and old age patients]

Khirurgiia
|October 29, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTDGB) effectively manages acute cholecystitis in elderly patients, improving their condition for subsequent treatment. This approach reduced the need for immediate surgery in many cases.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatobiliary Surgery
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Acute cholecystitis presents significant challenges in elderly patients.
  • High morbidity and mortality rates are associated with delayed or aggressive treatment in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the treatment outcomes of acute cholecystitis in 233 elderly patients.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive procedures in managing acute cholecystitis and improving patient condition.

Main Methods:

  • Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTDGB) under ultrasound (US) control was performed in 206 patients.
  • Laparoscopic cholecystostomy in 2 patients and early endoscopic papillosphincterotomy in 27 patients with choledocholithiasis and jaundice.
  • Early surgical intervention (cholecystectomy) was performed in 189 patients within 2-4 days of admission.

Main Results:

  • PTDGB and endoscopic papillosphincterotomy successfully eliminated acute attacks in 44 patients, avoiding immediate surgery.
  • Early intervention improved patient condition, allowing for further examination and management of comorbidities.
  • The overall postoperative mortality rate was 4.2%.

Conclusions:

  • Minimally invasive decompression techniques like PTDGB are crucial for stabilizing elderly patients with acute cholecystitis.
  • Early decompression facilitates subsequent management, including elective surgery, and improves outcomes.
  • A staged approach involving initial decompression followed by definitive treatment is effective in this high-risk group.

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