Surgery of the biliary tree in the aging patient

Gall bladder disease is the most common etiology of acute abdominal pain and cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed abdominal procedure in the geriatric population. Gallstone disease is particularly virulent in the elderly with high rates of acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and gallstone pancreatitis. An understanding of the unique natural history and etiology of biliary disease in older patients is critical when choosing surgical and nonsurgical management options.