Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis in Severe Trauma Patients: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Purpose: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of acute acalculous cholecystitis is important, because it is associated with high mortality. In major trauma patients, besides the direct damage the trauma itself causes, many complications can occur due to trauma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for development of acute acalculous cholecystitis in patients with severe traumatic injuries. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the trauma registry data of 629 major trauma patients (injury severity score>15) of Eulji University Hospital seen between May 2012 and March 2015. Of the 629 patients, twelve were diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis. Information collected from the medical record review included demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes. Results: Twelve patients of 629 patients (1.9%) were diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis, and while nine patients survived, three patients died. The clinical and laboratory findings at the initial emergency room visit and at diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis were compared, and there were significant differences in the body temperature (p=0.002), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.002), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p=0.008), total bilirubin (p=0.015), and lactate (p=0.046). Conclusion: Early diagnosis and proper treatment is important in acute acalculous cholecystitis after major trauma. If the patients after major trauma have elevated body temperature, lactate, CRP, ALP, and total bilirubin, one should keep in mind of the possibility of acute acalculous cholecystitis.

Keywords

• acalculous cholecystitis
• wounds and injuries