Symptomatic Residual Gallbladder: A Rare Condition Associated to Subtotal Cholecystectomy: A Report of Two Cases

[摘要] Background: Residual gallbladder is the remnant part of the gallbladder not resected during subtotal cholecystectomy. This technique is used mostly in cholecystitis cases, to avoid biliary injury. In some patients, the residual gallbladder may become symptomatic causing symptoms related to gallstone problems, such as symptomatic cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis and gallstone pancreatitis. Case Report: Herein, we describe the two patients, a 52-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman, respectively submitted to cholecystectomy 16 months and 24 years before, who presented mainly abdominal pain after eating. Abdominal ultrasonography identified the remnant gallbladder in the first case. Second patient was wrongly treated for gastritis for one year, until residual gallbladder was confirmed by magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography. Patients underwent surgical treatment, with good results. Conclusion: Symptomatic residual gallbladder should be suspected in patients previously submitted to cholecystectomy, presenting symptoms suggestive of biliary colic. Symptoms may arise many years after the index surgery. Since this is a rare condition, a high grade of suspicion is required and imaging exams are important to confirm diagnosis. Caution is necessary during surgery, due to adhesions to the hepatic pedicle and common bile duct injury risk.

[学科分类] 生理学

[关键词] Cholecystectomy;Gallbladder;Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-pancreatography;Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome.