Frail geriatric patients with acute calculous cholecystitis: Operative versus nonoperative management?

Introduction: Nonoperative management of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) in the frail geriatric population is underexplored. The aim of our study was to examine long-term outcomes of frail geriatric patients with ACC treated with cholecystectomy compared with initial nonoperative management.

Methods: We conducted a 2017 analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database and included frail geriatric (≥65 years) patients with ACC. Frailty was assessed using the five-factor modified frailty index. Patients were stratified into those undergoing cholecystectomy at index admission (operative management [OP]) versus those managed with nonoperative intervention (nonoperative management [NOP]). The NOP group was further subdivided into those who received antibiotics only and those who received percutaneous drainage. Primary outcomes were procedure-related complications in the OP group and 6-month failure of NOP (readmission with cholecystitis). Secondary outcomes were mortality and overall hospital length of stay.

Results: A total of 53,412 geriatric patients with ACC were identified, 51.0% of whom were frail: 16,791 (61.6%) in OP group and 10,472 (38.4%) in NOP group (3,256 had percutaneous drainage, 7,216 received antibiotics only). Patients were comparable in age (76 ± 7 vs. 77 ± 8 years; p = 0.082) and modified frailty index (0.47 vs. 0.48; p = 0.132). Procedure-related complications in the OP group were 9.3%, and 6-month failure of NOP was 18.9%. Median time to failure of NOP management was 36 days (range, 12-78 days). Mortality was higher in the frail NOP group (5.2 vs. 3.2%; p < 0.001). The NOP group had more days of hospitalization (8 [4-15] vs. 5 [3-10]; p < 0.001). Both receiving antibiotics only (odds ratio, 1.6 [1.3-2.0]; p < 0.001) and receiving percutaneous drainage (odds ratio, 1.9 [1.7-2.2]; p < 0.001) were independently associated with increased mortality.

Conclusion: One in five patients failed NOP and subsequently had complicated hospital stays. Nonoperative management of frail elderly ACC patients may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Level Of Evidence: Therapeutic, level IV.