Síndrome de Mirizzi, complicación inusual de la colelitiasis / Mirizzi Syndrome, a Rare Complication of Cholelithiasis

Introducción: El síndrome de Mirizzi es una entidad clínica rara y difícil de tratar; sin embargo, los avances tecnológicos recientes han brindado a los cirujanos nuevas opciones para un diagnóstico y tratamiento más efectivos de esta afección. Objetivo: Presentar el caso de síndrome de Mirizzi, complicación inusual de la colelitiasis. Presentación del caso: Se presenta una paciente femenina, de 56 años de edad, que acude a nuestra institución por presentar ictericia intermitente, dolor en el hipocondrio derecho, coluria y acolia. Conclusiones: El síndrome de Mirizzi, complicación de la colelitiasis, es una entidad poco frecuente, de difícil diagnóstico preoperatorio, por lo que en un gran porcentaje de los casos se diagnostica intraoperatoriamente. Su tratamiento es quirúrgico(AU)

Introduction: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare condition, difficult to treat; however, recent technological advances have provided surgeons with new options for diagnosing and treating this condition more effectively. Objective: To present a case of Mirizzi syndrome, an unusual complication of cholelithiasis. Case presentation: The case is presented of a 56-year-old female patient, who comes to our institution with intermittent jaundice, right hypochondrium pain, choluria and acholia. Conclusions: Mirizzi syndrome, a complication of cholelithiasis, is a rare entity, difficult to diagnose preoperatively; therefore, a large percentage of it's cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. Its treatment is surgical(AU)

Colelitíase sintomática como apresentação de colangite esclerosante primária na infância - série de casos e revisão de literatura / Symptomatic cholelithiasis as the presentation of pediatric primary sclerosing cholangitis - case series and literature review

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare hepatobiliary disorder, whose etiology remains not fully elucidated. Given how rare PSC is in childhood, until the recent publication of a multicenter international collaboration, even data on its characteristics and natural history were scarce. Symptomatic cholelithiasis has not been previously reported as the presentation of PSC. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was the diagnosis of PSC following the initial unusual presentation with symptomatic cholelithiasis, that followed an atypical clinical course that could not be explained by cholelithiasis alone. A literature review was also conducted. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of three patients, who were diagnosed and/or followed at the Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas - Sao Paulo/ Brazil, between 2014 and 2020. Data analyzed included gender, age of presentation, past medical history, imaging findings, laboratory results, endoscopic evaluation, response to medical therapy and follow-up. RESULTS: Age at time of presentation with cholelithiasis varied from 10 to 12 years. In two of the cases reported, a more subacute onset of symptoms preceded the episode of cholelithiasis. Two patients were managed with cholecystectomy, not followed by any surgical complications, one patient was managed conservatively. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed in all three cases, showing histological findings compatible with PSC. Associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was not seen in any of the patients. The patients have been followed for a mean time of 3.4 years. CONCLUSION: PSC and cholelithiasis are both rare in the pediatric population. This study reports on symptomatic cholelithiasis as a presentation of PSC and raises the importance of suspecting an underlying hepatobiliary disorder in children with cholelithiasis without any known predisposing factors and/or that follow an atypical clinical course for cholelithiasis alone.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A colangite esclerosante primária (CEP) é uma doença hepatobiliar rara, cuja etiologia ainda não está totalmente elucidada. Dada a raridade do CEP na infância, até a recente publicação de uma colaboração multicêntrica internacional, mesmo dados sobre suas características e história natural eram escassos. A colelitíase sintomática não foi relatada anteriormente como a apresentação inicial de CEP na infância. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi o diagnóstico de CEP após a apresentação inicial incomum com colelitíase sintomática, que seguiu um curso clínico atípico que não poderia ser explicado apenas pela colelitíase. Também foi realizada uma revisão da literatura. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva dos prontuários de três pacientes, que foram diagnosticados e/ou acompanhados no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas - São Paulo / Brasil, entre 2014 e 2020. Os dados analisados incluíram sexo, idade de apresentação, história médica pregressa, achados de imagem, resultados laboratoriais, avaliação endoscópica, resposta à terapia médica e acompanhamento. RESULTADOS: A idade no momento da apresentação da colelitíase variou de 10 a 12 anos. Em dois dos casos relatados, um início mais subagudo dos sintomas precedeu o episódio de colelitíase. Dois pacientes foram tratados com colecistectomia, não seguida de qualquer complicação cirúrgica, e um paciente foi tratado de forma conservadora. Biópsia hepática percutânea foi realizada em todos os três casos, mostrando achados histológicos compatíveis com CEP. Doença inflamatória intestinal associada não foi observada em nenhum dos pacientes. Os pacientes foram acompanhados por um tempo médio de 3,4 anos. CONCLUSÃO: CEP e colelitíase são raras na população pediátrica. Este estudo relata a colelitíase sintomática como uma apresentação de CEP e levanta a importância da suspeita de doença hepatobiliar subjacente em crianças com colelitíase sem quaisquer fatores predisponentes conhecidos e/ou que seguem um curso clínico atípico.

Prevalencia de colecistolitiasis y cáncer de vesícula en una población rural aymara de Chile

Background: The prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer may be different across ethnic groups. Aim: To study the prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer among Aymara individuals. Material and Methods: An abdominal ultrasound was carried out in a sample of 182 Aymara women aged 46 ± 16 years and 76 Aymara men aged 55 ± 16 years. In addition, the histopathological reports of both patients with a history of previous cholecystectomy and those operated after the study were reviewed. Results: Ultrasound was normal in 150 participants (58%), 76 had cholelithiasis (30%) and 32 (12%) had a history of cholecystectomy. Pathological reports of the excised gallbladder were available for 106 cases and showed a chronic cholecystitis in 98% of cases. Gallbladder cancer was not reported. Conclusions: There is a 42% prevalence of cholelithiasis and no gallbladder cancer in this sample of Aymara population.

Angiotomografía de la arteria cística en preoperatorio y comorbilidad en colecistectomía laparoscópica por colelitiasis / Angiotomography of the cystic artery in preoperative and comorbidity in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis

La colecistectomía laparoscópica es el tratamiento de elección de la colelitiasis; sin embargo, se acompaña de comorbilidades y no está exenta de complicaciones mayores que pueden ser letales; la identificación del trígono cistohepático con disección y ligadura de la arteria cística son pasos obligatorios de la cirugía; la identificación de las variaciones de la arteria cística y los conductos biliares pueden minimizar las eventuales complicaciones. Al protocolo preoperatorio se implementó una angiotomografía con Tomógrafo Siemens Somatón Sensation ® de 64 cortes para identificar la arteria cística en pacientes con colelitiasis de la Unidad de Cirugía General del Hospital de Especialidades Teodoro Maldonado Carbo IESS de Guayaquil. Se escogieron 60 pacientes femeninos en forma aleatoria (edades 19-70 años, promedio 44,25 años) y la muestra se dividió en dos grupos de 30; al grupo estudio se aplicó angiotomografía hasta un mes antes de la cirugía y al grupo control se le aplicó el protocolo convencional. Se evaluó morbilidades relacionadas con: hemorragia operatoria por lesión de la arteria cística y en el posoperatorio: infección de herida operatoria, íleo y drenaje. La angiotomografía permitió identificar la arteria cística en el preoperatorio y contribuyó a disminuir comorbilidades que acompañan a la colecistectomía laparoscópica.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of cholelithiasis of choice; however, it is accompanied by comorbidities and is not exempt from major complications that can be lethal; the identification of the cystohepatic trigone with dissection and ligation of the cystic artery are mandatory steps of surgery; the identification of the variations of the cystic artery and the bile ducts can minimize the possible complications. The preoperative protocol was implemented with an angiotomography with Siemens Somatón Sensation ® 64-slice Tomograph to identify the cystic artery in patients with cholelithiasis of the General Surgery Unit of the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo IESS Specialty Hospital of Guayaquil. 60 female patients were chosen at random (ages 19 -70 years, average 44.25 years) and the sample was divided into two groups of 30; Angiotomography was applied to the study group up to one month before surgery and the conventional protocol was applied to the control group. Morbidities related to: operative haemorrhage due to cystic artery and postoperative injury: operative wound infection, ileus and drainage were evaluated. Angiotomography allowed to identify the cystic artery in the preoperative period and contributed to decrease comorbidities that accompany laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Colelitiasis en pacientes obesos sometidos a cirugía bariátrica: estudio y seguimiento postoperatorio a 12 meses / Cholelithiasis in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: 12-month postoperatively study and monitoring

Introducción: Chile se caracteriza por ser uno de los países con mayor prevalencia de patología biliar en el mundo. Dentro de los factores de riesgo de la patología biliar se encuentran el sexo femenino, la edad, el sobrepeso y la obesidad. Estos factores asociados a la disminución rápida de peso son característicos de los pacientes obesos sometidos a cirugía bariátrica. Se ha reportado que los pacientes sometidos a esta cirugía tienen una alta incidencia de colelitiasis a 12 meses postoperatorio. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de patología biliar en pacientes obesos sometidos a cirugía bariátrica, y analizar la aparición de esta patología durante el seguimiento postoperatorio a un año. Material y método: Serie de casos retrospectiva, incluyendo 221 pacientes sometidos a cirugía bariátrica, con seguimiento a 12 meses. Se realizó revisión de registros clínicos, consignando peso y ecografía abdominal en el control al año. Resultados: Un 18,09% de los pacientes tenía antecedentes de colecistectomía previa. Un 13,57% de los pacientes presentaba colelitiasis en el preoperatorio y se realizó colecistectomía de forma concomitante en todos ellos. Se realizó seguimiento a un año en 151 pacientes. En las ecografías al año, un 3,54% presentaba colelitiasis. Conclusiones: Existe una elevada prevalencia de colelitiasis en la población sometida a cirugía bariátrica. La aparición de esta patología en el primer año fue menor a la reportada en la literatura. Se debe considerar un seguimiento cercano para la detección de esta patología durante el primer año postoperatorio.

Introduction: Chile is known for being one of the countries with higher prevalence of gallstone disease in the world. Among the risk factors for biliary pathology are female gender, age, overweight and obesity. These factors associated with rapid weight loss are characteristic of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. It has been reported that patients undergoing these surgeries have a high incidence of cholelithiasis to 12 months postoperatively. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of gallstone disease in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery, and analyze the occurrence of this disease during the postoperative follow-up up to 12 months. Material and methods: Retrospective case series including 221 patients undergoing bariatric surgery, with follow-up up to 12 months. Review of clinical records and abdominal ultrasound was conducted. Results: A 18.09% of patients had a history of previous cholecystectomy. A 13.57% of patients had preoperative cholelithiasis and a concomitant cholecystectomy was performed in all of them. Follow up was conducted in 151 patients. In ultrasound examinations at one year, 3.54% had cholelithiasis. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of cholelithiasis in the population undergoing bariatric surgery. The emergence of this disease in the first year was lower than that reported in the literature. Patients should be closely monitored for the detection of this disease during the first postoperative year.

Íleo biliar: reporte de un caso de fístula colecistoduodenal asociada a hernia inguinal izquierda / Gallstone ileus: a case report of cholecystoduodenal fistula associated with leftinguinal hernia

Biliary ileus, first described byThomas Bartholin in the year1654, is a rare cause of mechanical ileus (small bowel obstruction) (1-3% in patients younger than 65 years), increasing significantly from that age (25%). The necessarycondition forthis pathologyis the presence ofa fistula between the gallbladderandthe gastrointestinaltract. Simple abdominal X-ray and ultrasonography are widely available and of relatively low cost, together presenting a sensitivity of 74% when they show the classic signs of Rigler’s triad (pneumobilia, ectopic gallstone and dilated loops of small intestine), but computed tomography of the abdomen is considered the gold standard, with a sensitivity and specificity higher than 90%. The aim of this article is to present a case of radiological diagnosis of biliary ileus in a patient with vesicular lithiasis + cholecystoduodenal fistula, associated with inguinal hernia on the left.

El íleo biliar, descrito por primera vez por Thomas Bartholin en el año 1654, constituye una causa poco frecuente de íleo mecánico (1-3% en menores de 65 años) aumentando significativamente a partir de esa edad (25%). La condición necesaria para esta patología es la presencia de una fístula entre la vesícula biliar y el tracto gastrointestinal. La radiografía simple de abdomen y la ecografía son de amplia disponibilidad y coste relativamente bajo, presentando en conjunto una sensibilidad del 74% cuando manifiestan los signos clásicos de la tríada de Rigler (neumobilia, lito biliar ectópico y dilatación de asas de intestino delgado), pero se considera que la tomografía computada de abdomen es el gold standard, con una sensibilidad y especificidad superiores al 90%. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar un caso de diagnóstico radiológico de íleo biliar en un paciente con litiasis vesicular + fístula colecistoduodenal asociadas a hernia inguinal izquierda.

Agenesia de vesícula biliar: presentación de caso y revisión de la literatura / Gallbladder agenesis: case report and a literature review

La agenesia de vesícula biliar es una enfermedad rara cuya sintomatología emula patología biliar. Está presente entre el 0,007 al 0,027% de aquellos en quienes se practica una colecistectomía. Luego de la misma, su evolución es asintomática. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 19 años con cuadro clínico compatible con colelitiasis. La ecografía revela vesícula escleroatrófica. Se realizó colecistectomía electiva, sin hallarse vesícula biliar. Tanto en el posoperatorio, como en el seguimiento anual, el curso fue asintomático. Además, se realizó una revisión de casos a partir de publicaciones de casos clínicos obtenidos de Medline. Catorce pacientes fueron incluidos en la revisión de casos, comparándose con otros cinco estudiados en una serie de casos. No existió diferencia significativa entre ambos grupos. La agenesia de vesícula biliar se presenta comúnmente entre los 40 y 64 años, con dolor en cuadrante superior derecho y diagnóstico ecográfico de colelitiasis. Es poco probable llegar a un diagnóstico preoperatorio. De intervenirse, es preferible limitarse a la exploración laparoscópica. La evolución ulterior será asintomática, sin estar claro aún el por qué.

Gallbladder agenesis is a rare disease, which its symptomatology emulates biliary pathology. It is presented between 0.007 to 0.027% of those patients in whom a cholecystectomy is performed. After it, its evolution is asymptomatic. We present the case of a 19 years old female patient with clinical presentationof cholelithiasis. Ultrasound reveals scleroatrophic vesicle. Elective cholecystectomy was performed,but the gallbladder was not found. The patient presented an asymptomatic evolution in the postoperative period and in the annual follow-up. In addition, we performed a case review from clinical case reports obtained from Medline. Fourteen patients were included in the review of cases, compared to another five studied in a series of cases. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Gallbladder agenesis usually happens between 40 and 64 years, with pain in the upper right quadrant and ultrasound diagnosis of cholelithiasis. It is unlikely to reach a preoperative diagnosis. If it is intervened, it is preferable to limit to laparoscopic examination. The following evolution will be asymptomatic, althoughthe cause of it is not known yet.

Comparative analysis of preoperative ultrasonography reports with intraoperative surgical findings in cholelithiasis / Análise comparada dos laudos ultrassonográficos pré-operatórios com achados cirúrgicos transoperatórios na colelitíase

Background : Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is widely used for cholelithiasis. Abdominal ultrasonography often precedes this operation and can prove diagnosis, as well as helps in showing possible complications during the perioperative period. Aim : Evaluate the description of variables of gallbladder and bile ducts present in reports of preoperative abdominal ultrasonography in cholelithiasis comparing with surgical findings. Methods : Were studied 91 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with previous abdominal ultrasonography. Variables such as identification and amount of gallstones involved were evaluated, both in preoperative ultrasonography and during surgery to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, concordance and positive and negative predictive values. Results : The reports did not mention diameter of vesicular light (98.9%), organ distension (62.6%), gallstone sizes (58.2%), wall thickness (41.8%) and evaluation of the common bile duct (39.6%). Ultrasound had high values for sensitivity, consistency and positive predictive value for identifying the presence/absence of gallstones: 98.8%, 96.7% and 97.8% respectively. As for the amount of stones, ultrasonography showed agreement in 82.7%, negative predictive value in 89.1% and specificity in 87.7%, with lower values for sensitivity (68.2%) and positive predictive value (65.2%). Conclusions : The ultrasound reports were flawed in standardization. Significant percentage of them did not have variables that could predict perioperative complications and surgical conversion.

Racional: Colecistectomia laparoscópica constitui tratamento padrão para colecistolitíase e ultrassonografia abdominal frequentemente a precede e pode prever possíveis complicações durante o período transoperatório. Objetivo : Avaliar a descrição das variáveis da vesícula biliar e vias biliares presentes nos laudos ultrassonográficos pré-operatórios na colelitíase, e compará-los aos achados cirúrgicos. Métodos : Foram incluídos 91 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica eletiva com ultrassonografia abdominal prévia. Variáveis como identificação e quantidade de cálculos foram avaliadas, tanto na ultrassonografia pré-operatória quanto durante a operação para analisar a concordância entre eles. Resultados : Nos laudos não constavam diâmetro da luz vesicular (98.9%), distensão do órgão (62.6%), tamanho aproximado dos cálculos (58.2%), espessura da parede (41.8%) e avaliação do colédoco (39.6%). Ultrassonografia teve altos valores para sensibilidade, concordância e valor preditivo positivo para identificação da presença/ausência de cálculos; 98.8%, 96.7% e 97.8% respectivamente. Quanto à quantidade de cálculos, a ultrassonografia apresentou concordância, valor preditivo negativo e especificidade de 82.7%, 89.1% e 87.7%, respectivamente, com valores menores para sensibilidade (68.2%) e valor preditivo positivo (65.2%). Conclusões: Os laudos ultrassonográficos foram falhos no quesito padronização. Porcentagem significativa dos laudos não apresentava variáveis que pudessem prever intercorrências transoperatórias e conversão cirúrgica.

Acceso a colecistectomía en un programa de tamizaje ecográfico de colelitiasis en centros de medicina familiar / Access to cholecystectomy among patients attended at primary family health centers

Background: Cholelithiasis (CL) represents a major health burden in Chile, with rates of cholecystectomy (CCT) of ~40.000 per year. The explicit health care guaranties (GES) program includes prioritized CCT for CL carriers between 35 and 49 years of age. Aim: To assess the access and opportunity of CCT in a screening program of CL in Family Medicine Centers, according to the age of the patients. Material and Methods: A systematic ultrasound screening program of CL was developed in Family Medicine Centers ANCORA-UC between March 2009 and March 2013 during which 1.450 individuals were assessed, (80% women) and 281 were identified as having CL (19.4%). After a minimum follow up interval of six months, patients with CL were contacted and surveyed by phone. They were categorized as being beneficiaries of the GES program (those aged between 35 to 49 years) or not (those aged < 35 o > 49 years). Results: Two hundred thirteen patients were contacted (76%), 81 beneficiaries of the program and 132 non-beneficiaries. The attending physician indicated CCT to 191 patients (89.6%). During a mean follow-up time of 641 days/person, 100 patients had CCT, 11% of which were emergency interventions due to complications. A greater proportion of program beneficiaries than non-beneficiaries had an elective CCT (74 and 21% respectively). The waiting interval for elective CCT was longer in non-beneficiaries compared with beneficiaries (340 ± 247 and 229 ± 201 days respectively). Only 46% of the elective CCT in GES patients were done within deadlines determined by the program (≤ 150 days). Conclusions: The age of patients at the moment of CL diagnosis conditions the access and opportunity to CCT. Beneficiaries of the explicit health care guaranties program have higher rates of cholecystectomy with less waiting time.

Prevalência de colelitíase em portadores de cirrose hepática. Disfunção hepática é um fator de risco? / Cholelithiasis's prevalence in patients with liver cirrhosis. Liver dysfunction is a risk factor?

Aproximadamente 10% da população ocidental adulta apresentam colelitíase. A frequência entre os portadores de cirrose hepática parece ser maior e os fatores associados são incertos. O presente estudo tem por objetivo determinar a prevalência de colelitíase e os possíveis fatores associados em portadores de cirrose hepática. Foram incluídos 101 portadores de cirrose hepática em seguimento no Ambulatório de Hepatologia do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (HU-UFJF) e o diagnóstico de colelitíase foi estabelecido pela Ultrassonografia. As seguintes variáveis foram analisadas: idade, sexo, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), grau de disfunção hepática (Meld/Child-Pugh), presença de varizes esofágicas e nível de aminotransferases. Entre os pacientes avaliados 58 (62%) foram classificados como Child-Pugh A e a média observada do escore Meld foi 11,5 ± 3,6. A presença de colelitíase foi observada em 21 (20,8%) pacientes. Não foi possível demonstrar associação entre a presença de colelitíase e as variáveis analisadas. Conclui-se que a prevalência de colelitíase entre portadores de cirrose hepática é elevada, porém não foi possível demonstrar associação entre disfunção hepática e presença de cálculos biliares.

Review of cholecystectomy for non hemolytic gallstone in single pediatric surgery unit

In the last years following the extensive use of ultrasound scanning an increasing number of children with cholelithiasis has been identified. Prevalence of cholelithiasis has been well reported, and frequency of cholecystectomy had been addressed by some investigators. The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate the management of children with cholelithiasis observed at the Pediatric and Surgical unit linked to the Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital. The records of all patients below age of 14 years, undergoing cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis, at Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital in Al- Qadisiya governorate in Iraq, from January 2005 to December 2008 were reviewed. A total of 13 pediatric patients were included in this study. Participants had a mean age of 5.6 years [SD, 2.9 years; range, 2.5-13]. There were 9 female and 4 male patients. Diagnosis of cholelithiasis was performed in all patients by ultrasound exam. All patients underwent cholecystectomy and extensive evaluations for their abdominal pain. The cause for gallbladder disease was identified as personal and familial anamnesis in 4 patients [30.7%]. Intra- and post-surgery course was adequate in all patients, but 2 who had transient complications. In our experience, approach to patients with gallbladder stones was heterogeneous suggesting the need for a common protocol. However, our data show that etiology, sex incidence, diagnosis's modality and management of pediatric patients with gallbladder stones is comparable to previous reported casistics. Pediatricians and pediatric surgeons have to consider that cholelithiasis can occur in children. Common diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up protocols are needed to improve our knowledge on this pediatric disease

role of preoperative ultrasound in predicting difficulties encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Pre-operative prediction of difficulties which may occur during laparoscopic cholecystectomy can help in reduction of operative and postoperative complications. The aim of our study was to study the value of preoperative ultrasound findings for predicting difficulties encountered during LC and to assess the usefulness of these findings to identify patients at high risk of conversion from laparoscopic to OC. A prospective study of 200 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis in the period between October 2005 and March 2007 in Rizgary Teaching and Howler Private Hospitals in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq. Abdominal ultrasound was done pre-operatively, the diagnosis of gall stones was made and the presence of ancillary findings was recorded. Five ancillary ultrasound findings were assessed. These included; thickened gall bladder wall more than 4mm, presence of pericholecystic fluid, severely contracted gall bladder, empyma, and gall bladder filled with stones. Ultrasound findings were compared with the operative findings. In 36 patients who had one or more of these findings laparoscopic Cholecystectomy was difficult in 22 [61.1%] of them. The statistical analysis showed that thick wall gall bladder > 4mm has the highest sensitivity [69%] and the presence of pericholecystic fluid has the highest specificity [100%] in predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the presence of more than 2 ancillary findings yielded an accuracy rate of [100%]. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was needed in 13.9% of these patients. The rates of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and conversion to laparotomy were much lower in those patients who had no ancillary findings [4.3%] and [1.2%] respectively. Preoperative ultrasound findings are of value for predicting difficulties encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy which may require conversion to open cholecystectomy

Frequency of gall bladder carcinoma in patients undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis

To determine the frequency of gall bladder carcinoma in patients undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis at Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Singh- Pakistan. This was a descriptive study, conducted from April 2006 to March 2008 at Isra University Hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan. This study included 200 cases of cholelithiasis who underwent cholecystectomy at out Hospital. Patients belonged to both sexes having cholelithiasis, diagnosed on the basis of clinical grounds and supported by ultrasonography. A uniform procedure of history taking, physical examination, investigations and treatment was adopted for all the patients, and data were recorded on the pre-designed proforma. Of 200 cases that were operated for gall bladder stone disease, eight were found to have carcinoma of gall bladder i.e. frequency was 4%. The age ranged from 35 to 70 years, with mean 50[ +/- 5.3] in females and 56[ +/- 2] in males. Male to female ratio was 1:3. On ultrasound, only three [37.50%] patients with advanced disease had a pre-operative clue of carcinoma. The frequency of gall bladder carcinoma in our population seems much higher than Western populations. Females are more affected than males by this problem. Ultrasonography can miss malignant lesions; therefore every gall bladder specimen should be subjected to histopathology. While in unsuspected cases undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gentle handling of the gall bladder is critical to avoid port site implantation caused by spillage of bile

Litiasis única en vesícula doble tratada con ondas de choque extracorpórea / Single lithiasis in double gallblader treated with extracorporeal shock waves

La vesícula biliar doble es una anomalía congénita poco frecuente. Su diagnóstico puede realizarse con ultrasonido y colecistografía. Se presenta una paciente de 27 años de edad, con antecedentes de intolerancia a las grasas y cólicos biliares a repetición, con vesícula duplicada; exteriormente fundida y dos conductos císticos independientes que desembocan en el hepatocolécodo, con un cálculo único, de 12 mm de diámetro, retrotransparente y 0 unidades Houndfield, ubicado en el cuello de la vesícula más desarrollada. Se aplicaron 2 259 ondas de choque extracorpóreas de 20,4 kilovoltios, generadas por el principio electromagnético; en una sesión de litroticia. Se detuvo fragmentación completa del cálculo. El tratamiento fue ambulatorio. La paciente se reincorporó a su vida laboral a las 24 horas. Durante la expulsión de los fragmentos tuvo varias crisis de dolor que cedieron con analgésicos orales. A los 6 meses, la vesícula afectada se encontraba libre de fragmentos y funcional. No existió complicación y hasta el momento se mantiene asintomática(AU)

Double gall bladder is an uncommon congenital abnormality. It may be diagnosed by ultrasound and cholecystography. It is reported the case of a 27-year-old patient with history of intolerance to fats and repeated biliary cholics, with duplicated gallbladder externally fused, and two independent cystic ducts flowing to the hepatocholedoco with a single calculus of 12 mm of diameter, retrotransparent and 0 Houndfield units, located in the neck of the more developed gallbladder. 2 259 extracorporeal shock waves of 20.4 kilovolts generated by the electromagnetic principle were applied in a lithotripsy session. The complete fragmentation of the calculus was stopped. The treatment was ambulatory. The patient reincorporated to her working life at 24 hours. During the expulsion of the fragments, she had several pain crises that were resolved with oral analgesics. Six months later, the affected gallbladder was free of fragments. There has been no complication and she is asymptomatic so far(AU)

Gallstone expectoration following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated gallstone disease. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may result in lost (spilled) gallstones. Such stones may precipitate various infective intra-abdominal complications. An unusual case of spilled gallstones eroding the diaphragm and eventually being expectorated out 12 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reported.

Agenesis of gallbladder in symptomatic patients.

Three women and one man among 771 patients, who underwent laparotomy with diagnosis of symptomatic gallbladder disease over a period of 5 years, were found to have agenesis of the gallbladder. Preoperative ultrasonography suggested cholelithiasis in all the four patients; three patients with jaundice had choledocholithiasis in addition. The absence of gallbladder was established by meticulous operative exploration and carefully repeated ultrasonography in postoperative period. The patients having choledocholithiasis underwent choledocholithotomy, while the fourth patient had no definitive procedure. One patient expired on 17th postoperative day following biliary leak, septicemia and liver failure. Another two patients were well and symptom free, while the fourth patient remained symptomatic. Awareness of the possibility of agenesis of gallbladder may allow the surgeon to attempt confirmation of diagnosis by non-operative methods and avoid surgical exploration in specific instances.