[Comprehensive Approach to Emphysematous Cholecystitis: A Case Series].

INTRODUCTION

Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare form of acute cholecystitis.

CASE SERIES: We present four patients aged 55 and 79 years old (three men and one woman). One of the patients had no pathological history, while the others were diabetic. All of them underwent a computed tomography scan. Two patients underwent videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy with good evolution, while the other two underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy.Discussion. Emphysematous cholecystitis is the presence of gas in the lumen or wall of the gallbladder. The morbidity rate is 50%. Patients usually suffer from diabetes, but it may occur in younger patients without risk factors. Computed tomography is the method of choice for diagnosis. The definitive treatment is videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy, although the percutaneous cholecystostomy is another valid option.

CONCLUSIONS

Videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered an effective and safe approach for the treatment of emphysematous cholecystitis.