Unusual case of Niemeier type II gallbladder perforation: case report and literature review

Abstract

Niemeier type II gallbladder perforation (GBP) is caused by inflammation and necrosis of the gallbladder wall followed by bile spilling into the abdominal cavity after perforation. The gallbladder then becomes adhered to the surrounding inflammatory tissue to form a purulent envelope, which communicates with the gallbladder. At present, the clinical characteristics and treatment of type II GBP are not well understood and management of GBP remains controversial. Type II GBP with gastric outlet obstruction is rare and prone to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Recent systematic reviews report that percutaneous drainage does not influence outcomes. In this current case, due to the high risk of bleeding and accidental injury, as well as a lack of access to safely visualize the Calot’s triangle, the patient could not undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which would have been the ideal option. This current case report presents the use of percutaneous laparoscopic drainage combined with percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in a patient with type II GBP associated with gastric outlet obstruction. A review of the relevant literature has been provided in addition to a summary of the clinical manifestations and treatments for type II GBP.