Identifying Acute Cholecystitis and Gallbladder Perforation

An experienced general and trauma surgeon, Clemens Gerstenkorn, MD, practiced medicine in numerous European cities for 24 years before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2014 to serve as a consultant and surgeon. Dr. Clemens Gerstenkorn has performed hundreds of surgeries on patients with a wide range of conditions and injuries, including acute cholecystitis with perforation of the gallbladder. 

Often caused by gallstones, acute cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder that can be dangerous if left untreated. The condition is most common in women, and the risk of developing acute cholecystitis rises as we age. The primary symptom is a long-lasting sharp pain or dull ache in the abdomen. Patients may also experience vomiting and nausea, fever, and abdominal bloating. 

One danger of acute cholecystitis is perforation of the gallbladder. Though rare, perforation can be difficult to diagnose, and a delay can prove fatal. Often, a perforation is identified only during surgery, though a ultrasound scan or a CT scan can also reveal the problem. Gallbladder perforation can cause many life-threatening issues, including a subhepatic or pelvic abscess, pneumonia, pancreatitis, sepsis and acute renal failure.