Harefuah
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The timing of cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis is still controversial. A marked change toward early surgery has been noted in the past decade. In a retrospective study of 197 patients we evaluated the results of cholecystectomy in 117 who underwent elective cholecystectomy, and in 80 operated on during the acute phase of cholecystitis. ⋯ Therefore, early operation during the acute phase of cholecystectomy is advised. For patients older than 60 years who have cardiovascular disease, we recommend delaying surgery until the acute inflammation subsides. The waiting period before surgery should be as short as possible in order to reduce the risk of recurrent cholecystitis and its complications.
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Scurvy, a rare disease, is still found today in malnourished patients. We recently diagnosed a case of scurvy in a 64-year-old woman resulting from a self-imposed diet. She had severe anemia and the characteristic gingival and skin lesions, which responded dramatically to ascorbic acid therapy. We report this case to make physicians aware of the possibility of scurvy and of its clinical symptoms.