The rationale for incidental cholecystectomy during major abdominal vascular surgery.

The finding of gallstones during major abdominal vascular surgery warrants a critical decision regarding incidental cholecystectomy. The potential risk for vascular graft infection must be weighed against the risks of severe postoperative cholecystitis requiring surgery, a situation associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This report supports the safety of an incidental cholecystectomy, as long as the vascular graft is covered before the gallbladder is removed. The data also emphasize the hazards of not performing an incidental cholecystectomy for gallstones during major abdominal vascular surgery.