[Gallbladder volvulus: Diagnostic and surgical challenges]

Abstract

Background: The gallbladder volvulus is defined as the rotation of the gallbladder on its mesentery along the axis of the cystic duct and cystic artery. It is an extremely rare surgical disease and definitive diagnosis is usually made during surgery.

Case report: A 78 year old woman presented with upper right quadrant abdominal pain, with no comorbidities and no other accompanying symptoms. Analysis revealed haemodynamic instability and leukocytosis. Computed tomography of abdomen showed an acute cholecystitis. During emergency right hypochondrium laparotomy, the gallbladder was found to be twisted counterclockwise with huge gangrenous gallbladder distal. Open cholecystectomy was performed and after the surgery, the patient was discharged in a few days.

Conclusion: Gallbladder volvulus, or gallbladder torsion, is a rare condition and should be considered when clinical and imaging findings of complicated cholecystitis are present. The performance of urgent laparoscopic surgery would be first option to avoid perforation, peritonitis and haemodynamic instability.

Keywords: Cholecystectomy; Cholecystitis; Colecistectomía; Colecistitis; Colelitiasis; Gallbladder volvulus; Gallstones; Vólvulo de vesícula biliar.