Abstract
In order to clarify clinical and therapeutic features in elderly patients with cholelithiasis, 238 patients operated on at the department were divided into elderly group (over 75 years old, 45 cases) and control group (less than 75 years old, 193 cases). Elderly group was retrospectively studied by comparing with control group.
Clinical features in aged patients (over 75) were characterized by:
1) Stones were frequently existed in the choledocus and commonly composed of bilirubin stones.
2) The frequency of coexisting gastrointestinal malignant diseases was high.
3) The ratio of emergent to early operation was same as control group.
4) There was no significant difference in the operative morbidity and mortality between two groups.
5) Gram positive coccus was frequently found in culture bile.
As shown above, the operative morbidity and mortality rates were not so high even in the elderly patients. Therefore, we emphasize that surgery in the elderly should not be delayed and has to be performed at the point of onset of the disease under sufficient pre and postopeartive management.
