Gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Does it have an effect on postoperative morbidity?

Gallbladder rupture during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common event t hat may lead to increased postoperative morbidity. To evaluate this event, we reviewed 300 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Duration of surgery and hospitalization, postoperative symptoms, wound infection, and late comp lications were analyzed by comparing two groups of patients, one without ga llbladder rupture (A) and one with rupture (B). Gallbladder rupture was fou nd in 40 cases (13.9%). Duration of surgery averaged 81 min for group A and 96.5 min for group B. Postoperative symptoms in the first 24 hours were pr esent in approximately 10% of patients in both groups. Within the first 24 hours, 92.3% of patients in group A were discharged compared with 85% in gr oup B. One patient (0.4%) in group A developed wound infection compared wit h 2 patients (5%) in group B (p = 0.05). To date, no patients have develope d late abdominal complications associated with the procedure. Although this was a retrospective and uncontrolled study, gallbladder rupture during lap aroscopic cholecystectomy was found to be associated with increased wound i nfections. No other significant effects on postoperative morbidity were det ected.