Acute cholecystitis in the elderly.

After a controlled randomized trial, the management of patients with acute cholecystitis was changed from delayed to early cholecystectomy. The results obtained in 125 consecutive patients some years before the trial and in 144 consecutive patients after the trial were compared. All patients were 70 years or older. The comparison confirmed that early cholecystectomy reduces morbidity and mortality. Early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in the elderly is strongly recommended.