Partial Gallbladder Avulsion Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report

TL;DR

A rare case of partial gallbladder avulsion after a motorcycle accident shows the challenges in diagnosing such injuries and the benefits of early surgical treatment.

Contribution

Reports a rare case of partial gallbladder avulsion following blunt trauma and highlights its diagnostic and management challenges.

Findings

Partial gallbladder avulsion was diagnosed during laparoscopy after imaging suggested acute cholecystitis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy successfully managed the injury without converting to open surgery.

Histopathology confirmed hemorrhagic gallbladder wall without gallstones.

Abstract

Gallbladder injuries secondary to blunt abdominal trauma are uncommon and often associated with other intra-abdominal lesions. Due to nonspecific clinical findings and subtle radiologic features, diagnosis is frequently delayed, which may contribute to increased morbidity if surgical treatment is not promptly instituted.

We report the case of a young male who sustained blunt abdominal trauma following a motorcycle accident and presented with persistent abdominal pain. Imaging raised suspicion of acute cholecystitis, but diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a partial gallbladder avulsion associated with a hepatic laceration and active bleeding. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed successfully, with hemostasis achieved and no need for conversion to laparotomy. The postoperative course was marked by transient hematobiliary drainage but was ultimately uneventful, and the patient was discharged in good condition. Histopathology confirmed a congested and hemorrhagic gallbladder wall without calculi.

This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of gallbladder trauma in the absence of specific clinical or imaging findings and emphasizes the importance of considering this rare injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Early surgical intervention in stable patients may provide definitive management with favorable outcomes.

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