Cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis.

During the period from 1963 to 1970, 318 patients were subjected to early operation for acute cholecystitis. Cholecystostomy was performed in 25 cases (7.8 percent). Despite advanced age and associated serious illnesses, cholecystostomy was an effective and definitive method of treatment. Many of these patients are likely to succumb from intercurrent disease before they develop further stones or cholecystitis. A planned cholecystostomy may be the operation of choice for poor-risk patients with acute cholecystitis.