[Early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis; effect of length of symptoms on morbidity and mortality].

In this retrospective study the results of "early' cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were analysed, especially the influence of duration of symptoms on morbidity and mortality. During a 4-year period 122 patients underwent early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The mean age was 64 years (range 20-101). Cholecystectomy was performed in 93 patients, 25 underwent cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration and the remaining 4 patients cholecystostomy. The mortality was 1.6% (2 patients 88 and 89 years of age). Biliary surgery related complications and wound infection occurred in 14 and 11 patients respectively. There was no significant difference in morbidity and mortality according to duration of symptoms (2 days versus 2-7 days). The duration of symptoms is not a major contraindication to early cholecystectomy. Early cholecystectomy appears to be a safe procedure for acute cholecystitis for patients within 7 days after onset of symptoms.