Missed malignancies during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstone diseases. However, besides its great benefits, perhaps the most disappointing complication of this operation is missed malignancies. In this study, patients who had missed malignancies that were diagnosed shortly after laparoscopic cholecystectomy were studied. We aim to find out the cause of missed and delayed diagnosis.

Between 1991 and June 1997, 9 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which had been performed elsewhere 2-9 months earlier, and having had missed malignancy were included in this study. A diagnostic survey was collected from the medical records, questionnaires, and a semiological analysis. All laboratory data and physical findings, before and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were recorded. Follow-up data were obtained through a telephone questionnaire.

Of these 9 patients, 6 had colorectal carcinoma and 3 had pancreas carcinoma. All patients complained of recent atypical pain at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, except for 1 patient who had no symptomatic regression.

It is necessary to make a careful semiological, physical and laboratory analysis of patients with cholelithiasis before especially laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Elderly patients, atypical biliary pain and associated symptoms must draw attention to the possibility malignancy.