Cholelithiasis and inflammatory biliary tract disease constitute a major health problem in western countries. Acute cholecystitis is the third major cause of emergency admission to a surgical ward and its incidence increases with increasing age. Acute cholecystitis is defined as acute inflammation of the gallbladder which is commonly caused by gallstones which are impacted in the cystic duct. The treatment of acute cholecystitis varies between different medical centers around the world. In some hospitals, mainly in the US, the most common treatment is early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours from the onset of symptoms / admission. However, in the UK and many other centers in Europe the treatment of acute cholecystitis is conservative (NPO, IV fluids and antibiotics) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is delayed. The reasons for delayed surgery differ between institutions and include the assumption of decreased complications, surgeon and OR availability and schedule, costs, and hospital policy.