OGBN P07 Is Emergency Cholecystectomy safe in the oldest old? A 10-year, single institution Retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background The incidence and severity of presentation of cholelithiasis or its complications increases with increasing age. Higher risks of morbidity, longer hospital stay, and mortality are the potential challenges to this emergency procedure in this cohort. There is little UK based data citing outcomes of emergency surgery in this group of population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of emergency cholecystectomy in patients aged 75 and above. Methods Data of consecutive patients aged 75+ undergoing an emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis at a London district general hospital between January 2013 and April 2023 was analysed. Outcomes of interest were time to procedure, length of hospital-stay, nature of complications and post-operative mortality. Results 123 patients were included. Median age was 80 years (Range 75-93). Median time from presentation to surgery was 4 days (Range 1-45), overall length of stay was 10 days (Range 1-62), and post-procedure stay was 6 days (Range 1-62). Conversion rate was 5% (n=6), overall complication rate was 11% (n=14) and, 4% (n=5) Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 complications were observed. Bile leak was observed in 2 patients needing ERCP and re-admission rates were 8% (n=10). One patient died within 90 days postoperatively for reasons unrelated to the surgery. Conclusions This study shows that an emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy has acceptable complication and readmission rates, and it should be considered even in the elderly population. Biologic age rather than demographic age influences the perioperative risks and decision for surgery should be multidisciplinary with risks and benefits carefully weighed with the patient case by case.