Biliary disease in the elderly patient

Biliary disease in the elderly patient presents unique diagnostic and thera peutic challenges to the generalist as well as the specialist. Diseases of this organ system are the leading indication for acute abdominal surgery in this age group. Since the number of persons over the age of 80 years has b een predicted to increase at a rate five to six times that of the general p opulation, an understanding of the unique characteristics of biliary diseas e in the elderly population is of increasing importance to clinicians.