Carcinoma of the cecum.

Carcinoma of the cecum occurs more often in older people and often produces few significant early symptoms. Proper detection and right hemicolectomy may give good results.

Acute cholecystitis in the elderly. A comparative study.

Acute cholecystitis is not an unusual sequela of chronic cholelithiasis, nor is its occurrence predictable. The elderly patient with acute cholecystitis faces an increased risk of death and illness. Prompt, remedial medical preparation followed by early surgical extirpation of the gallbladder (with common bile duct exploration where indicated) is the surgical treatment of choice.

Gallstone ileus.

Gallstone ileus, although uncommon, requires urgent and appropriate surgical therapy if unacceptable morbidity and mortality are to be avoided. Enterolithotomy alone remains the mainstay of operative treatment for gallstone ileus, but the additional performance of a one-stage cholecystectomy and repair of fistula if desirable if the condition of the patient will allow it. One must use good judgment in selecting a surgical procedure.