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Acute cholecystitis — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateAbdominal PainAcute cholecystitisMCCQE Part 1

A 55-year-old woman has RUQ pain x 12 hours, nausea, vomiting. Temp 38.2, WBC 15. US: distended gallbladder, wall 6mm, pericholecystic fluid, stones, positive sonographic Murphy's. CBD 5mm. Most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: D — IV antibiotics and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours

Acute cholecystitis: IV antibiotics + early lap chole within 72 hours (reduces hospital stay and complications vs delayed surgery). Normal CBD argues against duct stones.

Reference: Canadian Surgical Guidelines on Biliary Disease