According to a study published in Cukurova Medical Journal, cholecystectomy done under epidural anesthesia may be recommended for gallstone patients with significant comorbid conditions. The study's objective was to explore surgical treatment of gallstone disease using an open cholecystectomy under epidural anesthesia in elderly patients with major comorbidities. Overall, 80 consecutive senior patients over 65 years of age (mean age 77 ± 16 years) were included.

Participants (62.5% females) with substantial concomitant illnesses who had open cholecytectomy under epidural anesthesia for the surgical treatment of gallstone disease, all done by the same surgeon, were studied retrospectively. The most commonly associated comorbidity involved cardiovascular system (57.5%, 46 patients). Acute cholecystitis (AC) was the surgical reason in 37 patients (46.25 %) and chronic cholecystitis was the surgical reason in 32 individuals (40 %). The average operating time was 55 ± 22 minutes.

The average hospital stay was 12 ± 5 days. The overall complication rate was about 38.75%, with pulmonary complications being the most frequent (13.75%). Five patients died within 30 days (6.25 %). An open cholecystectomy along with epidural anesthesia may be indicated in elderly, high-risk gallstone patients. The mortality and morbidity rates for this patient population are acceptable.