Middle colic artery thrombosis as a result of retained intraperitoneal gallstone after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Spilled gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are associated with a number of complications such as infection, abscess, inflammation, adhesions, cutaneous sinuses, small bowel obstruction, incarcerated hernia, and generalized septicemia. We report a case of a patient with middle colic vessel erosion and thrombosis secondary to a retained gallstone following laparoscopic cholecystectomy 11 years ago. At operation, the patient was found to have a necrotic transverse colon with a large 2 cm gallstone compressing her middle colic vessels. An extended right hemicolectomy was performed with a primary anastomosis. The importance of stone retrieval during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is emphasized.