Index Admission Cholecystectomy Cuts Mortality and Readmissions in Acute Cholangitis

Cholecystectomy performed during index admission for acute cholangitis significantly reduces in-hospital mortality and lowers 30- and 90-day readmission rates. In a study of over 29,000 patients, those who underwent surgery exhibited a 60% lower risk of death and nearly halved their likelihood of readmission compared to non-surgical counterparts. These benefits persisted across varying severity levels of cholangitis, suggesting a pressing need for revised surgical guidelines in managing this condition.