Focal transmural necrosis of the gallbladder with bleeding resulting in a massive haemoperitoneum.
A case of massive haemoperitoneum as a complication of focal transmural necrosis of the gallbladder with bleeding during acute cholecystitis is reported. Urgent laparotomy and cholecystectomy was performed to secure an adequate haemostasis. A review of the literature confirmed that this condition is a very rare complication of acute cholecystitis. Only 44 similar cases have been reported between 1858 and 1996. In our case, bleeding was caused by the edges of a necrotic zone in the gallbladder wall.
Department of Surgery, H. Hartziekenhuis, Lier, Belgium.
A
A
Lefevre
P
P
Vanclooster
C
C
de Gheldere
W
W
Lagrange
A
A
Troch
J
J
Pen
C
C
Van der Perre
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D009336:Necrosis