Acute cholecystitis as a postoperative complication.

The clinical course and management of 40 patients who underwent operation for acute cholecystitis developing as a postoperative complication were reviewed. Of note was the mortality of 47%, the high incidence of gangrene, perforation, empyema, and cholangitis, and the atypical clinical presentation of acute cholecystitis under these conditions. Awareness of this possible complication, knowledge of its clinical features, and early surgical intervention are important facets of successful management.