[Clinical study on laparoscopic approach to cholelithiasis in the elderly].

The Authors report 66 cases of patients aged 75 years or older who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy: 28 cases presented a clinical picture of acute cholecystitis, 3 cases had associated common bile duct stones. A high percentage of patients had cardiovascular disease: 29 patients presented with cardiopaties, of these 9 cases had a history of myocardial infarction, 31 patients had artheriosclerotic hypertension, associated, in 7 patients with signs of brain ischemia. Five patients were suffering from Parkinson's disease, 7 were carriers of diabetes, 2 had liver cirrosis. Three patients were converted due to extensive presence of adhesions from previous surgery. Morbidity and mortality rates were respectively 12% and 1.5%. The Authors think that laparoscopic technique widens indications and reduces risks of cholecystectomy also in elderly patients.