Early elective cholecystectomy--an alternative to early cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis?

Currently there are two forms of management for patients with acute cholecystitis. Conservative treatment during the acute episode and readmission after 6-8 weeks for elective surgery and early cholecystectomy during the emergency admission. An alternative treatment would be elective surgery before the acute episode which should reduce morbidity and mortality. This study has identified those patients who are likely to present with acute biliary disease so that they can be selected for elective surgery shortly after their attendance in outpatients.