[Therapy of acute cholecystitis--importance of early operation].

The acute cholecystitis is caused in over 95% by an stone occlusion of the cystic duct. The diagnosis can be made securily by ultrasound. The early cholecystectomy, th.i. within 48 hours, is the management of choice. The urgent cholecystectomy is indicated in free perforation of gallbladder or empyema with septicaemia. The late cholecystectomy should be refused avoiding unsuspected further complications. The mortality of 551 patients, operated in 16 years, has been totaly 27 (= 4.9), only 7 Patients (= 1.3%) immediately as an consequence of the gallbladder operation.