Traumatic cholecystectomy.

Abstract

Injury to the gallbladder following blunt abdominal trauma is an unusual finding at laparotomy, with a reported incidence of less than 2%. Avulsion from the liver and detachment from both the cystic duct and artery is an extremely rare finding. The condition of the patient and the extent of injuries will dictate the procedure performed. In the case presented, total avulsion of the gallbladder was successfully treated with identification and ligation of the cystic duct, and coagulation of small bleeding points, followed by placement of a Penrose drain.