Acute cholecystitis.

Only 20-30% of patients with gallstones have symptoms and the probability of a patient with silent gallstones developing biliary-related pain is 1-2%, while the risk of developing a serious complication (e.g. empyema, perforation, peritonitis etc.) is less than 0.1% per year. Imaging techniques are important in establishing the diagnosis and evaluating the patient. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the golden standard for the management of symptomatic gallstones and there are two surgical treatment options: early cholecystectomy (same hospital admission) and interval (delayed) cholecystectomy (6-8 weeks after resolution of acute attack). Early LC has medical and socioeconomic advantages over interval LC. LC can be undertaken for the majority of patients with AC and in some high risk groups the postoperative mortality can even be reduced. LC in AC is associated with longer operating time, a higher rate of conversion and bile damage. Early diagnosis and early operation can prevent the development of complications associated with AC.