Acute Cholecystitis in Very Elderly Patients: Disease Management, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Complications

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients ≥80 years. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective single-center patient registry. Results. The study population was composed of 348 patients, which were divided into two groups: those younger (Group A) and those older (Group B) than the median age (85.4 years). Although demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar, the disease management was clearly different, with older patients undergoing cholecystectomy less frequently (n=80 46.0% in Group A vs n=39 22.4% in Group B; p<0.001). The outcomes in both groups of age were similar, with 30-day mortality of 3.7%, morbidity of 17.2%, and readmissions of 4.2% and two-year AC recurrence in nonoperated patients of 22.5%. No differences were seen between operated and no operated patients. Severe (Grade III) AC was the only independent factor significantly associated with mortality (OR 86.05 (95% CI: 11–679); p