Gallbladder grossing
This article covers gallbladder grossing, also cholecystectomy specimens.
Introduction
These specimens are very common and could be classified as a ditzel.
Cholecystectomies are usually done for chronic cholecystitis (increasingly common due to prevalence of obesity). Less common indications are acute cholecystitis and gallstones (may cause gallstone pancreatitis, Mirizzi syndrome[1]).
Specimen opening
These are not routinely opened before cut-up.
Protocol
- Specimen: Gallbladder.
- Received: [intact/opened/open with defect measuring ___ cm].
Dimensions:
- External dimensions: ___ cm length, ___ cm diameter.
- Wall thickness (maximal): ___ cm.
Appearance:
- Serosal surface: [tan and smooth/rough].
- Lumen contains: [thick green bile/multiple [yellow/green/black] calculi].
- Mucosa: [dark green and velvety/granular, hemorrhagic/strawberry-like].
- Polyp/tumour: [not identified/___ cm in maximal dimension].
- Wall: [pliable/firm].
- Neck: [pliable/firm].
- Cystic duct: [patent/not patent].
- Cystic duct lymph node: [not identified/present, measuring ___ cm in greatest dimension].
Secctions:
- Representive sections of the neck, body and fundus, including the cystic duct lymph node, are submitted in one cassette.