Gangrene of the Gallbladder

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Abstract
Eighteen cases of gangrenous cholecystitis were reviewed to better define causes of morbidity and mortality. All patients in the series presented with signs and symptoms of acute cholecystitis. Cholecystectomy was done as an emergency procedure in 12 patients, while in 6 patients cholecystectomy followed a failure of nonoperative therapy. Gangrenous cholecystitis in this series was commonly associated with empyema and perforation of the gallbladder. Three of 6 patients having cholecystectomy after failure of nonoperative treatment died, while only 1 of 12 patients with immediate cholecystectomy died. Gangrenous cholecystitis usually presents with a clinical picture identical to that of acute cholecystitis. Early operation in the natural history of acute cholecystitis should reduce the frequency as well as the morbidity and mortality of gangrenous cholecystitis.

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