Senile cholelithiasis

Cholelithiasis in the elderly refers to the formation of stones in the biliary system (gallbladder and bile ducts), which can occur at any site of the biliary tract. If stones occur in the gallbladder, they are called gallbladder stones; if in the common bile duct, common bile duct stones; if in the intrahepatic bile ducts, intrahepatic bile duct stones; and if in the extrahepatic bile ducts, extrahepatic bile duct stones. Stones may also occur simultaneously or successively at multiple sites in the same patient. In a small number of patients, stones may be present in the biliary tract without causing symptoms, which is called asymptomatic stones. However, the vast majority of patients with gallstones develop symptoms, including abdominal pain (distending pain or colicky pain, severe pain), nausea and vomiting, chills, fever, and jaundice, which are important symptoms of cholelithiasis. Cholelithiasis is a common disease worldwide, and China is no exception. Its incidence increases with age. Over the past more than 20 years, with the popularization of imaging examinations (B-mode ultrasound, CT, and MRI, etc.), the incidence of cholelithiasis in the general population has reached about 10%. Domestic autopsy reports indicate an incidence of cholelithiasis of 7%. With the improvement of living conditions and nutritional status of the Chinese people, the incidence of cholelithiasis has shown a trend of increasing year by year, especially the incidence of gallbladder stones, which has increased significantly. Cholelithiasis is more common in female patients, especially in relatively obese women, with a male-to-female ratio of about 1:2.