Gallbladder perforation: a single center experience of 32 cases

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Abdominal Imaging and Diagnostics
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Gallbladder perforation is a rare but life-threatening condition.
• Clinical experience in diagnosing and managing gallbladder perforation is limited.
• Understanding perforation patterns is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of 32 gallbladder perforation cases.
• To analyze the characteristics, diagnostic methods, and outcomes of different gallbladder perforation types.
• To emphasize the importance of classification and management in this rare disease.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 32 gallbladder perforation cases presenting to a single hospital from January 2012 to November 2014.
• Exclusion of traumatic perforations and patients under 12 years of age.
• Analysis of patient demographics, perforation site and type, diagnostic modalities, surgical management, and histopathology.

Main Results:

• The study included 32 patients (mean age 55.9 years), with perforation most common in the 5th and 6th decades.
• The fundus was the most common perforation site. Type I perforations had the highest mortality.
• Histopathology revealed acute cholecystitis in 19 cases, with one case of mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions:

• Gallbladder perforation presents significant diagnostic and surgical challenges.
• Appropriate classification and timely management are essential for improving patient outcomes.
• Enhanced abdominal computed tomography and intraoperative findings are key diagnostic tools for different perforation types.