This paper assesses the risk of dying within thirty days of admission among 13,854 women who had a cholecystectomy performed as the principal operation during the period 1977-81. The overall crude mortality rate was 1.2%. Women who had a simple elective cholecystectomy performed had a mortality rate (0.2%) similar to women who had a simple hysterectomy, but significantly higher than in the general female population. High age, acute admission, admission to hospital in the three months prior to the index admission, the number of discharge diagnoses, and the geographical region were significantly associated with increased mortality. The higher mortality associated with exploration of the common bile duct disappeared when number of discharge diagnoses was taken into account. As regards early mortality, it is concluded that simple elective cholecystectomy is a safe procedure before the age of 50-60 years. Exploration of the common bile duct may not be as important an independent factor as previous assumed.
Udgivelsesdato: 1994-Mar-7