Gallbladder Perforation during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

A matched-cohort analytic study was performed to assess the influence on postoperative morbidity and on long-term outcome of gallbladder perforation (GP) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and to determine the existence of risk factors of GP. A total of 1127 consecutive patients who underwent successful LC were included. All patients received a preoperative dose of intravenous antibiotic. If GP occurred, free bile was aspirated, the abdominal cavity was irrigated, spilled stones were retrieved whenever possible, and antibiotic treatment was prolonged. Intraoperative GP occurred in 131 cases (11.6%). The Cox multivariate proportional hazards model showed that the surgeon's experience was the only factor associated with a higher risk of GP (p < 0.0001). Patients who had GP were retrospectively matched with 131 patients who did not have perforation. Statistical differences between the two matched groups were found for the median length of surgery: 74 minutes in the GP group versus 61 minutes, p < 0.01). No differences were found for (1) postoperative complications and reoperations (3.8% in GP group vs. 6.1%, and 0% in GP group vs. 0.8%, respectively); or (2) mean postoperative hospital stay (2.9 ± 2.3 days in GP group vs. 2.6 ± 1.6 days). No late consequences occurred that could be attributed to intraoperative GP. The results suggest that the frequency of GP during LC tends to diminish as the surgeon gains experience with this type of surgery. This event does not cause complications if adequate prophylactic antibiotic therapy is administered; spilled stones are retrieved whenever possible, and the abdominal cavity is abundantly irrigated.