[The asymptomatic gallstone].

There are several sound arguments to operate on "silent" gallstones: The operative mortality following simple cholecystectomy in patients under 40 is zero. 50% of all patients with silent gallstones will be operated upon or develop symptoms within 10-20 years after the initial diagnosis. Carcinoma of the gallbladder is very rarely diagnosed in time and in most cases is incurable at the time of operation. The number of deaths in the FRG due to a carcinoma of the gallbladder has been consistently high in the last decade. Risk factors for cholecystectomy increase with the patients age. Therefore early cholecystectomy is recommended. Nevertheless indication for cholecystectomy is an individual decision.