Acute gall bladder perforation: case series over three years

Abstract

Background: Acute perforation of gall bladder is a life threatening condition. It is a complication of acute cholecystitis. This is not an uncommon condition and resembles acute cholecystitis in its presentation. If there is delay in diagnosis and management there is high morbidity and mortality. It should be diagnosed as early as possible for better prognosis.Methods: This is a retrospective study wherein data of cholelithiasis, acute and chronic cholecystitis and perforated gall bladder from our hospital for the last three years 2014-2016 was collected. The clinical presentation, investigations routine and radiological, surgical and medical management was analysed.Results: Total numbers of patients with chronic cholelithiasis were 3534, patients with acute cholecystitis were 133, and numbers of patients with gall bladder perforations were 22, making it 0.6% of gall bladder disease patients and 16.5% among patients with acute cholecystitis. TLC was invariably raised in all the cases. 12 out of 22 cases were managed conservatively while others underwent surgery. There was no mortality in the series.Conclusions: Gall bladder perforation occurs in about two weeks or several weeks after episode of acute cholecystitis, the incidence of occurrence of perforation increases to four folds if there is delay in proper management of acute cholecystitis more than two days after the onset of symptoms. Clinical presentation varies from an acute generalized peritonitis to nonspecific abdominal symptoms and thus requires prompt diagnosis for better prognosis.