Fatal hemoperitoneum from traumatic gallbladder avulsion: an autopsy case report

This report describes a rare autopsy case of death due to gallbladder injury. The victim was a 63-year-old man, with a clinical history of liver cirrhosis and alcohol abuse. The postmortem examination revealed fatal hemoperitoneum from traumatic gallbladder avulsion. Related injuries were observed in the right hypochondriac region. Normal distended gallbladder, liver cirrhosis and alcohol abuse were considered to be the predisposing factors. The gradual development of bleeding from the small vessels of the gallbladder and the liver bed may have caused extensive hemoperitoneum.