Laparoscopic ligation of a leaking cystic duct

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has rapidly become an acceptable surgical technique. Indeed it may become the preferred method for cholecystectomy, with the open method reserved for complicated cases. Early series of LC have shown a mortality rate of 0-1%, comparing favorably to the open method. However, complications such as bile duct injury, cystic duct leaks, and biliary collections may be more frequent. We report the first case of cystic duct leakage after LC successfully managed by subsequent laparoscopic ligation.