title: A population-based analysis of the morbidity and mortality of gallbladder surgery in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Historically, emergency gallbladder surgery in elderly patients has been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have described much lower complication rates that may still overestimate morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the true population morbidity and mortality rates after gallbladder surgery in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  All elderly patients (defined as age 65 years or older) admitted to the hospital with a principle diagnosis related to benign gallbladder disease in the Province of Manitoba from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2008 were identified by using administrative claims data. Outcomes after emergency gallbladder surgery, including complication rates and their predictors, were compared with outcomes after elective surgery and after nonoperative treatment for gallbladder-related hospital admissions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 9,936 patients were included: 2,355 had emergency or urgent surgery and 4,901 had elective procedures, whereas 2,680 patients were treated without surgery. Emergency gallbladder surgery was associated with a mortality rate of 0.7 %, compared with 1.6 % for elective cases and 5.6 % for patients treated nonoperatively. Complication rates were 16.2, 17.7, and 25 % respectively. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality were age, male gender, increasing comorbidity, surgeon experience, and surgical treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emergency gallbladder surgery in the elderly was not associated with higher mortality or complication rate compared with the elective setting. Elderly patients with gallbladder-related emergencies should be offered urgent surgery when feasible.
authors: Department of Surgery, Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba, GF-431, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, Canada. amckay3@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: McKay
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Katz
authors: Jeremy
authors: J
authors: Lipschitz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000601:surgery*; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors