Gallbladder perforation following abdominal liposuction: case report of a radiological pitfall

Liposuction is a widely performed aesthetic procedure. However, its potential for serious complications remains underestimated. We report a rare case of delayed liver trauma and gallbladder perforation in a 33-year-old woman following abdominal liposuction. After developing persistent abdominal pain, imaging revealed perihepatic fluid collections but failed to clearly identify a gallbladder injury. The clinical examinations suggested the presence of a localized peritonitis; therefore, an exploratory laparoscopy was performed, showing a minor hepatic injury and an active bile leakage from a gallbladder perforation, necessitating a laparotomic cholecystectomy. The patient recovered uneventfully. This case report underscores the importance of clinical judgment when imaging is inconclusive and highlights the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the management of intra-abdominal injuries.