title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for isolated traumatic rupture of the gallbladder following blunt abdominal injury.
abstract: Gallbladder rupture following blunt abdominal trauma is a rare event usually recognized on evaluation and treatment of other visceral injuries during laparotomy. Isolated gallbladder rupture secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is even more uncommon. Delay in the diagnosis of the injury for several days due to no, or vague, symptoms and an insidious course is common. Early diagnosis is essential, as protracted treatment may result in significant morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a patient who suffered isolated gallbladder rupture due to blunt abdominal trauma from a fall. We propose laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a safe and effective surgical treatment for this solitary injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Liess
authors.forename: Ziad T
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.forename: W Stephen
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Eubanks
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*