Gangrenous Cholecystitis is the highest degree of gallbladder inflammation. If severe acute cholecystitis is left untreated, it can transform into gangrenous cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis occurs when increased swelling in the gallbladder causing inadequate blood supply and necrosis. While the treatment of gangrenous cholecystitis is similar to that of acute cholecystitis, the presence of gangrenous cholecystitis increases the risk of complications, morbidity and mortality.
Among individuals with gangrenous cholecystitis, there is a longer interval between the start of noticeable symptoms and hospital admission. The advancement towards serious necrosis of the gallbladder wall is influenced by the patient’s history and the amount of time before treatment. According to numerous studies, the prevalence of gangrenous cholecystitis mostly affects elderly patients.
Due to the similarity between the symptoms of acute cholecystitis and gangrenous cholecystitis, this disease can be difficult to diagnose. While the symptoms of gangrenous cholecystitis can vary from person to person, its most severe symptoms include sepsis, upper right abdominal pain, and inflammation of the gallbladder. Other mild symptoms that appear and are caused by gangrenous cholecystitis include:
Here are some of the main causes of Gangrenous Cholecystitis:
Acute Cholecystitis: One of the primary causes of necrosis and perforation of the gallbladder wall is the ongoing and untreated inflammation of the gallbladder. Most cases of acute cholecystitis that go without treatment gangrenous cholecystitis, proving fatal in many cases.
Ongoing Diseases: Ongoing diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and Leucocytosis play a major role in developing gangrenous cholecystitis.
Bacterial infection of the bile duct system: This system is responsible for carrying bile from your liver and gallbladder into your small intestine.
Tumours of the pancreas or liver: A tumour can block bile from emptying out of your gallbladder.
Reduced blood supply to gallbladder: Certain diseases restrict blood flow including diabetes.
The risk factors of gangrenous cholecystitis include:
Patients experiencing gangrenous cholecystitis typically receive an emergency Cholecystectomy to prevent potentially fatal consequences once the condition is diagnosed. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics are used to treat acute and initial cholecystitis, which is gallbladder inflammation. However, when the case leads to gallbladder necrosis, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the most prevalent and standard operating option.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder and is a less invasive surgery. It is operated through small incisions and a camera to locate and remove the gallbladder. The patient is asleep throughout the surgery due to anaesthesia.
Before the surgery, your healthcare provider will run several tests including bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound, or urinalysis. The Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy also reduces patients’ chances of contracting gallstones and gallbladder necrosis as the gallbladder is removed, so it doesn’t affect their overall health.