Posttraumatic acute cholecystitis on the rehabilitation service

Posttraumatic acute cholecystitis is a serious complication which can occur in multitrauma patients. Predisposing factors may include fasting, hypotension, transfusions, sepsis, and narcotics. Common signs and symptoms include right upper-quadrant pain or tenderness, nausea and vomiting, and fever. Symptoms began 26 days and 108 days posttrauma in the two patients studied while they were on the rehabilitation service. The recommended treatment is immediate cholecystectomy. Conservative management results in much higher mortality.