Presentation and management of gallbladder remnant after partial cholecystectomy

Partial cholecystectomy is usually performed with the aim of preventing bile duct injury and/or vascular injuries in situations where there is difficulty in performing cholecystectomy. Occasionally, such patients can become symptomatic due to recurrence or persistence of disease in the gallbladder remnant and may require further treatment.

A case series of various presentations and follow up of seven patients who had undergone open partial cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease in the past.

Of 7 patients, 6 were symptomatic, and each of them was found to have a remnant of the gallbladder (with calculi in the remnant in 4 patients). Three patients who presented with recurrent biliary symptoms were re-operated and the gallbladder remnant was removed, with resolution of the symptoms. Two patients refused further operation-one patient with acute pancreatitis who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for removal of common bile duct stones, and another who presented with acute cholecystitis. The other 2 patients (one with transient jaundice and the other who is asymptomatic) remain on follow-up.

Although partial cholecystectomy is an accepted, safe option in difficult cases, these patients must be counselled regarding the recurrence of symptoms, and must be kept on follow-up. If symptoms develop, completion of cholecystectomy to remove the remnant provides symptomatic relief.