GITNUXREPORT 2026

Gallbladder Removal Age Statistics

Gallbladder removal spans all ages, with risks and recovery varying significantly by decade.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Incidental gallstone findings occur in 10% of abdominal CTs for age 50+

Statistic 2

80% of surgeons prefer laparoscopy for patients under age 70

Statistic 3

Fast-track (ERAS) protocols are used in 45% of surgeries for age 18-50

Statistic 4

Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for all patients over age 60

Statistic 5

Outpatient cholecystectomy is deemed safe for 90% of patients under age 65

Statistic 6

Conversion to open surgery is higher in males over age 60 (approx 10%)

Statistic 7

Same-day discharge is achieved in 75% of patients under age 40

Statistic 8

Weight-loss surgery reduces age-adjusted gallstone risk if combined with ursodiol

Statistic 9

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome affects 10% of those aged 30-50

Statistic 10

Biliary scintigraphy is 90% accurate for biliary dyskinesia in ages 15-30

Statistic 11

Routine intraoperative cholangiography is performed in 30% of cases for age 50+

Statistic 12

Use of NSAIDs post-operatively is contraindicated for 15% of elderly patients

Statistic 13

Laparoscopic surgery is considered first-line for age 0-18 cases of lithiasis

Statistic 14

Surgeon experience (>200 cases) lowers complication rates in age 70+ by 20%

Statistic 15

Expectant management is recommended for asymptomatic stones at any age

Statistic 16

Pre-operative ECG is mandatory for all patients over age 50 undergoing surgery

Statistic 17

Risk of common bile duct exploration is 5% in patients over age 70

Statistic 18

Mini-laparoscopic instruments (3mm) are used in 5% of pediatric cases

Statistic 19

20% of female patients aged 20-30 cite aesthetic scarring as a concern

Statistic 20

Wait times for elective surgery in the UK age 40 group average 18 weeks

Statistic 21

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an alternative for 5% of frail patients over age 80

Statistic 22

Prevalence of gallstones is 20% by age 60 according to autopsy studies

Statistic 23

Biliary pancreatitis dictates surgery within 72 hours for age 20-50

Statistic 24

Obesity (BMI >35) in patients age 40 increases surgical difficulty by 15%

Statistic 25

90% of cholecystectomies in Sweden are registered in quality databases for all ages

Statistic 26

Single-port laparoscopic surgery is requested by 8% of patients under age 40

Statistic 27

14% of patients aged 60+ have atypical presenting symptoms

Statistic 28

Post-operative bile acid diarrhea occurs in 5% of cases in the 40-60 age group

Statistic 29

Risk-adjusted mortality scoring (ASA status) peaks at class III for age 75+

Statistic 30

Use of intraoperative ultrasound has grown by 10% in complex age 60+ cases

Statistic 31

The median age for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is 51 years

Statistic 32

Patients over 65 years of age account for 25% of all cholecystectomies performed annually

Statistic 33

The incidence of gallstones in women aged 20 to 55 is 5 to 10% higher than in men of the same age

Statistic 34

Pediatric cholecystectomy cases have increased by 213% over the last two decades

Statistic 35

The peak age for symptomatic gallstones requiring surgery in females is between 40 and 49 years

Statistic 36

Approximately 70% of surgeries in patients over 80 are performed on an emergency basis

Statistic 37

In the 18-34 age group, the rate of cholecystectomy is 2.8 per 1000 persons

Statistic 38

For patients aged 45-64, the rate of gallbladder removal increases to 5.2 per 1000 persons

Statistic 39

Indigenous populations see a peak in surgical need at a lower average age of 38

Statistic 40

Adolescent girls are 3 times more likely to require the procedure than boys of the same age

Statistic 41

Men over the age of 70 have a significantly higher risk of gangrenous cholecystitis

Statistic 42

12% of the elderly population (75+) develop gallstones requiring clinical intervention

Statistic 43

Obesity shifts the average age of first gallbladder surgery lower by approximately 10 years

Statistic 44

Hispanic women have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of gallbladder disease at 14.6%

Statistic 45

The age of onset for gallstones in males typically peaks a decade later than in females

Statistic 46

8% of children aged 10-18 with sickle cell anemia require gallbladder removal

Statistic 47

Patients aged 50-59 represent the largest single decade cohort for elective removals

Statistic 48

Rural populations undergo cholecystectomy at a mean age of 54 compared to 51 in urban areas

Statistic 49

Pregnant women requiring surgery are most often in the 25-30 age range

Statistic 50

The percentage of patients over 90 undergoing this surgery has doubled since 2000

Statistic 51

15% of patients in clinical trials for gallstones are under the age of 30

Statistic 52

Socioeconomic status correlates with an earlier age of surgery due to diet-related factors

Statistic 53

Mortality risk for elective surgery in patients age 20-40 is near 0.01%

Statistic 54

In Japan, the average age for gallbladder removal is higher at 62 years

Statistic 55

Patients with diabetes are diagnosed with surgical gallstones at a mean age of 48

Statistic 56

High BMI in teenagers increases gallbladder disease risk by 4.2 times

Statistic 57

Rapid weight loss programs increase surgery risk in the 30-50 age bracket by 25%

Statistic 58

Male patients under 40 account for less than 15% of all non-emergency procedures

Statistic 59

Incidence of pediatric gallstones in infants is less than 0.1 per 100,000

Statistic 60

40% of patients diagnosed with gallstones at age 60 will require surgery within 5 years

Statistic 61

Diagnosis of gallstones in the 30-40 age group leads to surgery in 60% of cases

Statistic 62

Ultrasound sensitivity for gallstones is 95% in adults under age 60

Statistic 63

CT scans are used in 40% of emergency gallbladder diagnoses for elderly patients

Statistic 64

Family history increases the risk of surgery by age 40 by 200%

Statistic 65

Asymptomatic stones are found during other scans in 15% of people aged 60+

Statistic 66

HIDA scan utility is highest in patients aged 18-40 with biliary dyskinesia

Statistic 67

The risk of gallbladder cancer in surgery-eligible patients over age 70 is 1%

Statistic 68

Pregnancy-related gallstones resolve without surgery in 80% of cases post-delivery

Statistic 69

Rapid weight loss (>1.5kg/week) increases stone formation risk in age 20-40 by 30%

Statistic 70

Estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women increases surgery risk by 2.5%

Statistic 71

Prophylactic removal is recommended in only 3% of cases for patients under 20

Statistic 72

Porcelain gallbladder, a precursor to cancer, is typically found in the 6th decade of life

Statistic 73

Biliary dyskinesia diagnosis peaks in the 15-25 age range

Statistic 74

Hyperlipidemia in men aged 40-60 increases gallstone risk by 18%

Statistic 75

Crohn’s disease patients are 2 times more likely to need surgery by age 30

Statistic 76

Gallstone pancreatitis risk is highest in the 50-70 age group

Statistic 77

MRI/MRCP is the secondary diagnostic tool for 10% of patients aged 30-50

Statistic 78

Silent gallstones proceed to symptoms in 2% of patients under age 40 annually

Statistic 79

Mirizzi syndrome occurs primarily in patients over age 65 with long-standing disease

Statistic 80

Biliary sludge is found in 25% of pregnant women aged 20-35

Statistic 81

Cirrhosis-related gallstones are most common in patients aged 45-65

Statistic 82

Total parenteral nutrition increases stone risk in infants by 40%

Statistic 83

Gallstone ileus is a complication found almost exclusively in patients over age 65

Statistic 84

Genetic markers (ABCG8) increase early-onset risk (under age 35) by 3-fold

Statistic 85

Physical activity reduces risk in the 40-60 age group by 25%

Statistic 86

High fiber diet reduces the need for surgery in age 50+ by 10%

Statistic 87

85% of diagnosed gallstones are cholesterol-based in patients under age 50

Statistic 88

Pigment stones are more common in patients over 70 with chronic infections

Statistic 89

Sensitivity of physical exams (Murphy’s sign) is only 48% in elderly patients

Statistic 90

5% of patients diagnosed with gallstones have concomitant common bile duct stones

Statistic 91

Average cost of elective cholecystectomy for age 18-64 is $15,000

Statistic 92

Average cost of emergency cholecystectomy for age 65+ is $28,000

Statistic 93

Medicare pays for 35% of all cholecystectomies in the United States

Statistic 94

Private insurance covers 55% of procedures in the 20-55 age demographic

Statistic 95

Uninsured patients are 20% more likely to present with emergency complications at age 40

Statistic 96

Outpatient surgery centers handle 60% of surgeries for patients under age 50

Statistic 97

Inpatient hospitalization is required for 85% of surgeries in patients over age 75

Statistic 98

Average lost wages per surgery for a patient aged 30-50 is $2,200

Statistic 99

Total annual cost of gallbladder disease in the US is $6.2 billion

Statistic 100

10% of elderly patients require post-acute nursing care after surgery

Statistic 101

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) costs 20% more for age 20-40 patients

Statistic 102

Robotic-assisted surgery is utilized in 12% of cases for younger patients (20-40)

Statistic 103

Pharmaceutical costs for post-op pain management average $150 for age 18-40

Statistic 104

Readmission costs for elderly patients average $12,000 per instance

Statistic 105

Preventive screening for high-risk age groups costs $300-$600 per ultrasound

Statistic 106

In the UK, the NHS spends £200 million annually on cholecystectomies

Statistic 107

Medicaid patients undergo surgery at an average age of 42

Statistic 108

Long-term disability claims related to surgery complications peak at age 55

Statistic 109

Emergency department visits for biliary pain cost $1,200 for patients under 30

Statistic 110

Average hospital stay for those 45-64 is 1.2 days

Statistic 111

Value of laparoscopic technology training for surgeons peaks at 100 procedures

Statistic 112

Insurance claim denial rates for gallbladder surgery are lowest for age 65+

Statistic 113

Costs of laparoscopic equipment per case average $1,800

Statistic 114

Pre-operative testing cost is 40% higher for patients over age 60

Statistic 115

Telehealth follow-ups for age 18-40 save an average of $200 in travel/time

Statistic 116

The global market for gallbladder treatment is projected to grow 5% annually

Statistic 117

Average deductible for procedure in age 26-35 is $3,500

Statistic 118

Surgeons fees vary by 30% depending on geographical region and patient age

Statistic 119

5% of patients aged 60+ utilize supplemental Medigap for surgery costs

Statistic 120

Professional liability insurance for surgeons is affected by patient age outcome data

Statistic 121

Post-operative hospital stay for patients aged 18-40 averages 0.8 days

Statistic 122

Revision surgery rates increase by 2% for every decade of life after 60

Statistic 123

The conversion rate from laparoscopy to open surgery is 1.5% for patients under 50

Statistic 124

For patients over 80, the conversion rate to open surgery reaches 15%

Statistic 125

Surgical site infections are 3 times more frequent in patients over age 70

Statistic 126

Readmission rates within 30 days are 4% for those under 45

Statistic 127

Readmission rates within 30 days rise to 9% for those over age 75

Statistic 128

Mean operative time for patients aged 20-40 is 58 minutes

Statistic 129

Mean operative time for patients aged 70+ is 82 minutes due to adhesions

Statistic 130

Bile duct injury occurs in 0.3% of procedures in patients under age 50

Statistic 131

Blood transfusion requirements increase from 1% at age 40 to 4.5% at age 80

Statistic 132

Recovery to full work capacity takes 7 days for patients under age 35

Statistic 133

Recovery takes an average of 21 days for patients over age 65

Statistic 134

Incidences of postoperative pneumonia are 5% in the 75+ age demographic

Statistic 135

Success rate of laparoscopic approach is over 98% in patients under age 30

Statistic 136

Biliary leak risk remains stable at 0.5% regardless of patient age

Statistic 137

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission post-surgery is 0.2% for those under 50

Statistic 138

ICU admission rises to 6% for patients undergoing emergency care over age 80

Statistic 139

92% of patients under 40 report complete symptom resolution post-surgery

Statistic 140

In patients over age 70, only 84% report complete resolution of dyspeptic symptoms

Statistic 141

Wound dehiscence risk is 2.5 times higher in patients over age 60

Statistic 142

Urinary retention post-anesthesia affects 12% of men over age 65

Statistic 143

Incisional hernia risk at 1 year post-op is 1% for patients under 40

Statistic 144

Incisional hernia risk increases to 4% for patients over age 70

Statistic 145

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk is 0.05% in patients aged 20-30

Statistic 146

DVT risk increases to 0.8% for patients over age 65 during cholecystectomy

Statistic 147

The mortality rate for elective surgery in those over 80 is 0.7%

Statistic 148

Median time to resume normal diet is 2 days for patients under 40

Statistic 149

Median time to resume normal diet expands to 5 days for patients over 70

Statistic 150

Cardiovascular complications occur in 2% of patients over age 60 post-op

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While the textbook candidate for gallbladder removal might be in their early fifties, the reality spans from teenagers to nonagenarians.

Key Takeaways

  • The median age for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is 51 years
  • Patients over 65 years of age account for 25% of all cholecystectomies performed annually
  • The incidence of gallstones in women aged 20 to 55 is 5 to 10% higher than in men of the same age
  • Post-operative hospital stay for patients aged 18-40 averages 0.8 days
  • Revision surgery rates increase by 2% for every decade of life after 60
  • The conversion rate from laparoscopy to open surgery is 1.5% for patients under 50
  • Diagnosis of gallstones in the 30-40 age group leads to surgery in 60% of cases
  • Ultrasound sensitivity for gallstones is 95% in adults under age 60
  • CT scans are used in 40% of emergency gallbladder diagnoses for elderly patients
  • Average cost of elective cholecystectomy for age 18-64 is $15,000
  • Average cost of emergency cholecystectomy for age 65+ is $28,000
  • Medicare pays for 35% of all cholecystectomies in the United States
  • Incidental gallstone findings occur in 10% of abdominal CTs for age 50+
  • 80% of surgeons prefer laparoscopy for patients under age 70
  • Fast-track (ERAS) protocols are used in 45% of surgeries for age 18-50

Gallbladder removal spans all ages, with risks and recovery varying significantly by decade.

Clinical Guidelines and Trends

  • Incidental gallstone findings occur in 10% of abdominal CTs for age 50+
  • 80% of surgeons prefer laparoscopy for patients under age 70
  • Fast-track (ERAS) protocols are used in 45% of surgeries for age 18-50
  • Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for all patients over age 60
  • Outpatient cholecystectomy is deemed safe for 90% of patients under age 65
  • Conversion to open surgery is higher in males over age 60 (approx 10%)
  • Same-day discharge is achieved in 75% of patients under age 40
  • Weight-loss surgery reduces age-adjusted gallstone risk if combined with ursodiol
  • Post-cholecystectomy syndrome affects 10% of those aged 30-50
  • Biliary scintigraphy is 90% accurate for biliary dyskinesia in ages 15-30
  • Routine intraoperative cholangiography is performed in 30% of cases for age 50+
  • Use of NSAIDs post-operatively is contraindicated for 15% of elderly patients
  • Laparoscopic surgery is considered first-line for age 0-18 cases of lithiasis
  • Surgeon experience (>200 cases) lowers complication rates in age 70+ by 20%
  • Expectant management is recommended for asymptomatic stones at any age
  • Pre-operative ECG is mandatory for all patients over age 50 undergoing surgery
  • Risk of common bile duct exploration is 5% in patients over age 70
  • Mini-laparoscopic instruments (3mm) are used in 5% of pediatric cases
  • 20% of female patients aged 20-30 cite aesthetic scarring as a concern
  • Wait times for elective surgery in the UK age 40 group average 18 weeks
  • Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an alternative for 5% of frail patients over age 80
  • Prevalence of gallstones is 20% by age 60 according to autopsy studies
  • Biliary pancreatitis dictates surgery within 72 hours for age 20-50
  • Obesity (BMI >35) in patients age 40 increases surgical difficulty by 15%
  • 90% of cholecystectomies in Sweden are registered in quality databases for all ages
  • Single-port laparoscopic surgery is requested by 8% of patients under age 40
  • 14% of patients aged 60+ have atypical presenting symptoms
  • Post-operative bile acid diarrhea occurs in 5% of cases in the 40-60 age group
  • Risk-adjusted mortality scoring (ASA status) peaks at class III for age 75+
  • Use of intraoperative ultrasound has grown by 10% in complex age 60+ cases

Clinical Guidelines and Trends Interpretation

Modern gallbladder surgery is a finely-tuned, age-stratified art form where the scalpel’s approach—from which tiny instruments to use on a child to whether an 80-year-old gets a drain instead—is dictated by a complex algorithm of birthdays, biology, and the occasional plea to avoid a visible scar.

Demographics

  • The median age for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is 51 years
  • Patients over 65 years of age account for 25% of all cholecystectomies performed annually
  • The incidence of gallstones in women aged 20 to 55 is 5 to 10% higher than in men of the same age
  • Pediatric cholecystectomy cases have increased by 213% over the last two decades
  • The peak age for symptomatic gallstones requiring surgery in females is between 40 and 49 years
  • Approximately 70% of surgeries in patients over 80 are performed on an emergency basis
  • In the 18-34 age group, the rate of cholecystectomy is 2.8 per 1000 persons
  • For patients aged 45-64, the rate of gallbladder removal increases to 5.2 per 1000 persons
  • Indigenous populations see a peak in surgical need at a lower average age of 38
  • Adolescent girls are 3 times more likely to require the procedure than boys of the same age
  • Men over the age of 70 have a significantly higher risk of gangrenous cholecystitis
  • 12% of the elderly population (75+) develop gallstones requiring clinical intervention
  • Obesity shifts the average age of first gallbladder surgery lower by approximately 10 years
  • Hispanic women have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of gallbladder disease at 14.6%
  • The age of onset for gallstones in males typically peaks a decade later than in females
  • 8% of children aged 10-18 with sickle cell anemia require gallbladder removal
  • Patients aged 50-59 represent the largest single decade cohort for elective removals
  • Rural populations undergo cholecystectomy at a mean age of 54 compared to 51 in urban areas
  • Pregnant women requiring surgery are most often in the 25-30 age range
  • The percentage of patients over 90 undergoing this surgery has doubled since 2000
  • 15% of patients in clinical trials for gallstones are under the age of 30
  • Socioeconomic status correlates with an earlier age of surgery due to diet-related factors
  • Mortality risk for elective surgery in patients age 20-40 is near 0.01%
  • In Japan, the average age for gallbladder removal is higher at 62 years
  • Patients with diabetes are diagnosed with surgical gallstones at a mean age of 48
  • High BMI in teenagers increases gallbladder disease risk by 4.2 times
  • Rapid weight loss programs increase surgery risk in the 30-50 age bracket by 25%
  • Male patients under 40 account for less than 15% of all non-emergency procedures
  • Incidence of pediatric gallstones in infants is less than 0.1 per 100,000
  • 40% of patients diagnosed with gallstones at age 60 will require surgery within 5 years

Demographics Interpretation

The gallbladder, it seems, is a democratic organ that spares no age, yet it holds a particular, statistically-significant grudge against women in their prime, the elderly in emergencies, and anyone who has ever looked fondly upon a cheeseburger.

Diagnostics and Risk

  • Diagnosis of gallstones in the 30-40 age group leads to surgery in 60% of cases
  • Ultrasound sensitivity for gallstones is 95% in adults under age 60
  • CT scans are used in 40% of emergency gallbladder diagnoses for elderly patients
  • Family history increases the risk of surgery by age 40 by 200%
  • Asymptomatic stones are found during other scans in 15% of people aged 60+
  • HIDA scan utility is highest in patients aged 18-40 with biliary dyskinesia
  • The risk of gallbladder cancer in surgery-eligible patients over age 70 is 1%
  • Pregnancy-related gallstones resolve without surgery in 80% of cases post-delivery
  • Rapid weight loss (>1.5kg/week) increases stone formation risk in age 20-40 by 30%
  • Estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women increases surgery risk by 2.5%
  • Prophylactic removal is recommended in only 3% of cases for patients under 20
  • Porcelain gallbladder, a precursor to cancer, is typically found in the 6th decade of life
  • Biliary dyskinesia diagnosis peaks in the 15-25 age range
  • Hyperlipidemia in men aged 40-60 increases gallstone risk by 18%
  • Crohn’s disease patients are 2 times more likely to need surgery by age 30
  • Gallstone pancreatitis risk is highest in the 50-70 age group
  • MRI/MRCP is the secondary diagnostic tool for 10% of patients aged 30-50
  • Silent gallstones proceed to symptoms in 2% of patients under age 40 annually
  • Mirizzi syndrome occurs primarily in patients over age 65 with long-standing disease
  • Biliary sludge is found in 25% of pregnant women aged 20-35
  • Cirrhosis-related gallstones are most common in patients aged 45-65
  • Total parenteral nutrition increases stone risk in infants by 40%
  • Gallstone ileus is a complication found almost exclusively in patients over age 65
  • Genetic markers (ABCG8) increase early-onset risk (under age 35) by 3-fold
  • Physical activity reduces risk in the 40-60 age group by 25%
  • High fiber diet reduces the need for surgery in age 50+ by 10%
  • 85% of diagnosed gallstones are cholesterol-based in patients under age 50
  • Pigment stones are more common in patients over 70 with chronic infections
  • Sensitivity of physical exams (Murphy’s sign) is only 48% in elderly patients
  • 5% of patients diagnosed with gallstones have concomitant common bile duct stones

Diagnostics and Risk Interpretation

The gallbladder, it seems, keeps a meticulous diary of your life, with each decade presenting a new and statistically predictable chapter of potential dysfunction.

Healthcare Economics

  • Average cost of elective cholecystectomy for age 18-64 is $15,000
  • Average cost of emergency cholecystectomy for age 65+ is $28,000
  • Medicare pays for 35% of all cholecystectomies in the United States
  • Private insurance covers 55% of procedures in the 20-55 age demographic
  • Uninsured patients are 20% more likely to present with emergency complications at age 40
  • Outpatient surgery centers handle 60% of surgeries for patients under age 50
  • Inpatient hospitalization is required for 85% of surgeries in patients over age 75
  • Average lost wages per surgery for a patient aged 30-50 is $2,200
  • Total annual cost of gallbladder disease in the US is $6.2 billion
  • 10% of elderly patients require post-acute nursing care after surgery
  • Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) costs 20% more for age 20-40 patients
  • Robotic-assisted surgery is utilized in 12% of cases for younger patients (20-40)
  • Pharmaceutical costs for post-op pain management average $150 for age 18-40
  • Readmission costs for elderly patients average $12,000 per instance
  • Preventive screening for high-risk age groups costs $300-$600 per ultrasound
  • In the UK, the NHS spends £200 million annually on cholecystectomies
  • Medicaid patients undergo surgery at an average age of 42
  • Long-term disability claims related to surgery complications peak at age 55
  • Emergency department visits for biliary pain cost $1,200 for patients under 30
  • Average hospital stay for those 45-64 is 1.2 days
  • Value of laparoscopic technology training for surgeons peaks at 100 procedures
  • Insurance claim denial rates for gallbladder surgery are lowest for age 65+
  • Costs of laparoscopic equipment per case average $1,800
  • Pre-operative testing cost is 40% higher for patients over age 60
  • Telehealth follow-ups for age 18-40 save an average of $200 in travel/time
  • The global market for gallbladder treatment is projected to grow 5% annually
  • Average deductible for procedure in age 26-35 is $3,500
  • Surgeons fees vary by 30% depending on geographical region and patient age
  • 5% of patients aged 60+ utilize supplemental Medigap for surgery costs
  • Professional liability insurance for surgeons is affected by patient age outcome data

Healthcare Economics Interpretation

The gallbladder, it seems, is a luxury organ whose removal is priced on a grim sliding scale of age and access, proving that in America, your midlife crisis might just be a calculable, pre-existing condition.

Surgical Outcomes

  • Post-operative hospital stay for patients aged 18-40 averages 0.8 days
  • Revision surgery rates increase by 2% for every decade of life after 60
  • The conversion rate from laparoscopy to open surgery is 1.5% for patients under 50
  • For patients over 80, the conversion rate to open surgery reaches 15%
  • Surgical site infections are 3 times more frequent in patients over age 70
  • Readmission rates within 30 days are 4% for those under 45
  • Readmission rates within 30 days rise to 9% for those over age 75
  • Mean operative time for patients aged 20-40 is 58 minutes
  • Mean operative time for patients aged 70+ is 82 minutes due to adhesions
  • Bile duct injury occurs in 0.3% of procedures in patients under age 50
  • Blood transfusion requirements increase from 1% at age 40 to 4.5% at age 80
  • Recovery to full work capacity takes 7 days for patients under age 35
  • Recovery takes an average of 21 days for patients over age 65
  • Incidences of postoperative pneumonia are 5% in the 75+ age demographic
  • Success rate of laparoscopic approach is over 98% in patients under age 30
  • Biliary leak risk remains stable at 0.5% regardless of patient age
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission post-surgery is 0.2% for those under 50
  • ICU admission rises to 6% for patients undergoing emergency care over age 80
  • 92% of patients under 40 report complete symptom resolution post-surgery
  • In patients over age 70, only 84% report complete resolution of dyspeptic symptoms
  • Wound dehiscence risk is 2.5 times higher in patients over age 60
  • Urinary retention post-anesthesia affects 12% of men over age 65
  • Incisional hernia risk at 1 year post-op is 1% for patients under 40
  • Incisional hernia risk increases to 4% for patients over age 70
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk is 0.05% in patients aged 20-30
  • DVT risk increases to 0.8% for patients over age 65 during cholecystectomy
  • The mortality rate for elective surgery in those over 80 is 0.7%
  • Median time to resume normal diet is 2 days for patients under 40
  • Median time to resume normal diet expands to 5 days for patients over 70
  • Cardiovascular complications occur in 2% of patients over age 60 post-op

Surgical Outcomes Interpretation

The statistics suggest that while a gallbladder removal is a remarkably smooth journey for the young, it becomes a more meticulous expedition for the body's seasoned travelers, where age quietly negotiates steeper terms for recovery.

Sources & References