Use of medical services in 2 different age groups of patients with cholecystitis or cholelithiasis
Janssen, C.W.; Heimann, P.L.; Solberg, S.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 101(29): 1638-1641
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 7339943 Document Number: 175105
Consumption of medical resources was studied in 2 different age groups of patients with cholecystitis/cholelithiasis in a surgical department. Preoperative diagnostic procedures are more comprehensive in older patients than in young ones. The operations last longer and are as a rule more extensive in older patients. The postoperative course is more difficult in the older patients as estimated by complications, consumption of antibiotics and intensive therapy. The length of stay in hospital is also longer in the older age group. There are great variations in age distribution of patients with this disease among the hospitals within the same county. The age distribution of the patients is essential for evaluation of the medical and economic aspects of hospital management.