A case report on a left sided gallbladder: A rare finding during cholecystectomy

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Surgical Anatomy
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Cholecystectomy is a common procedure for gallstones and gallbladder malignancy.
• An incidental intraoperative finding of a left-sided gallbladder presented a technical challenge.
• This anatomical variation is rare, with a prevalence of 0.1-0.7%.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of left-sided gallbladder discovered during cholecystectomy.
• To highlight the surgical challenges associated with this anomaly.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing rare anatomical variations in hepatobiliary surgery.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 35-year-old female with symptomatic gallstones.
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed.
• Extra port placement was required due to the left-sided gallbladder finding.

Main Results:

• A left-sided gallbladder was incidentally found during surgery.
• The anatomical variation necessitated modifications to the standard laparoscopic procedure.
• Potential for increased operative challenges and morbidity was noted.

Conclusions:

• Left-sided gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly that can complicate cholecystectomy.
• Failure to recognize this variation can lead to serious complications.
• Pre-operative imaging (CT angiography) and intraoperative cholangiography are recommended to minimize risks.