Risk factors and outcomes in acute perforated gallbladder: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Acute gallbladder perforation is a rare complication of biliary diseases with an estimated incidence of 2% of all gallbladder diseases. It carries a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. This study examines the risk factors and outcome of patients admitted with acute and subacute gallbladder perforation (AGBP) to a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed including all patients with biliary diseases who were operated on from Jan. 2016 until Dec. 2020. The patients were divided: the first group included patients with AGBP and the second group included patients with other biliary diagnoses. We excluded patients with chronic perforation, traumatic or malignant perforation.

RESULTS

A total of 587 patients were eligible for this study. The incidence of AGBP was 2.7% and its morbidity was 6.3% with no mortality reported. AGBP was significantly associated with male gender, older age, in patients with two or more associated comorbidities; diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Ultrasonography was not diagnostic while AGBP was confirmed by computed tomography in 42.9%. AGBP was associated with a significant higher risk of conversion to open cholecystectomy and partial or subtotal cholecystectomy. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the length of hospital stays increased by 70% in patients with AGBP.

CONCLUSION

Acute perforated gallbladder is predominant in elderly male patients with multiple comorbidities, especially diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. CT has a higher sensitivity to detect or suspect AGBP. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe management approach.