For acute (calculous) cholecystitis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold-standard definitive treatment, and early cholecystectomy (within the first 24-72 hours, same admission) is preferred.

• Late/interval cholecystectomy (~6 weeks after resolution) is reserved for patients presenting after 5-10 days of symptoms or who are high-risk, because operating late in the acute phase raises the risk of CBD injury.