Congenital absence of the gall bladder

Congenital absence of the gall bladder is an extremely rare embryological aberration with a reported incidence ranging between 0.013 and 0.075%. This report, the first from South Africa, discusses 2 cases of gall bladder agenesis, bringing to 413 the number of cases reported in the literature. In confirming the diagnosis of an agenesis of the gall bladder, it is necessary to exclude the abnormal locations which are intrahepatic, retrohepatic, on the left side, or within the lesser omentum or falciform ligament and retroperitoneal. Patients with gall bladder agenesis are classified into 3 categories: i) Multiple foetal anomaly (12.9%), ii) Asymptomatic (31.6%) and iii) Symptomatic (55.6%). Notwithstanding current diagnostic modalities, this rare condition may still present a dilemma to the abdominal surgeon. Agenesis of the gall bladder is a well-recognised but uncommon congenital abnormality. With the advent of minimal access surgery laparotomy may be avoided as the condition, when suspected, may be confirmed by ERCP and CT scan.