34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

The etiopathogenesis of gallbladder mucoceles (GBMs) is unknown, although several predisposing factors are recognised. This condition can necessitate a surgical emergency due to gallbladder rupture and bile peritonitis. Historically, cholecystectomy was associated with high mortality rates. Recent studies comparing the mortality rate between elective and emergency procedures (2–6% vs 20–23%) identified multiple prognostic factors. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the association between various prognostic factors and the survival time and mortality rate at various postoperative intervals following cholecystectomy for GBMs. 

Methods:

The medical records of dogs that underwent cholecystectomy for GBMs during 2016–2022 at a single institution were reviewed. Fisher’s exact test with FDR correction was used for correlation analysis.

Results:

Forty-one dogs met the inclusion criteria, of which 3 (7%) died during the immediate perioperative period, and 6 (14%) died in the first 20 days after surgery. High C-reactive protein levels (P=0.01), lymphopenia (P=0.01), abdominal effusion (P=0.05), and necrotising cholecystitis (P=0.05) were strongly associated with death before hospital discharge. Their respective mortality rates within 20 days postoperatively were 83%, 50%, 43%, and 43%. The mortality rate and survival time were not associated with elective or emergency procedures.

Conclusions:

Lymphopenia, elevated C-reactive protein, and abdominal effusion secondary to gallbladder rupture emerged as potential negative prognostic factors in dogs with GBM, suggesting the value of assessing these indicators preoperatively to better inform clinicians in treatment planning and discussions with pet owners.