Non-malignant gall bladder perforation: Our experience from an institution-based retrospective analysis of 25 cases

Gallbladder perforation still continues to perplex surgeons; 25 such patients diagnosed either pre- or intra-operatively and managed at our institute over the last 10 years period were analysed. Only eight were diagnosed pre-operatively, while a large majority (17) had a wrong initial working diagnosis. Symptoms and signs were variable. No blood investigation was specific. A computed tomography scan was generally better than ultrasound in detecting the perforation. All our cases were managed operatively with no mortality and a mean duration of hospital stay of 6.8 days. Most perforations were extra-hepatic (84%) and those of Niemeier's type I (52.2%). Because of its varied clinical presentation, gallbladder perforation is often an intra-operative diagnosis, but early intervention carries a good outcome.