A Case of Robotic Cholecystectomy in a Patient With Decompensated Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

In patients with liver cirrhosis, approximately one-third experience pigmented cholelithiasis. In parallel to this, cirrhotics consequently encounter a greater prevalence of acute cholecystitis. Traditionally, the definitive treatment for acute cholecystitis in non-cirrhotic patients is cholecystectomy. However, decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension pose a surgical challenge, as these comorbidities increase the risk of postoperative complications such as bleeding, infection, and multi-organ failure. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to consider patient risk factors, anatomy, and acuity of patient cholecystitis on an individual basis and develop a surgical (or non-surgical) plan that minimizes risk to patients with decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension. We present the management strategies of a case of a 50-year-old male who presents with a history of decompensated liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension complicated by acute cholecystitis. Upon initial presentation, he was critically ill, and a percutaneous cholecystostomy tube was placed for management and the patient was instructed to follow up in the clinic. Then, the patient later returned to the emergency department with a fever, UTI, and sepsis. At that time, his cholecystostomy tube continued to have bilious drainage and he had tenderness in the right upper quadrant. The decision was made to proceed with surgery. Because of his significant comorbid conditions and underlying cirrhosis, surgery posed an increased risk. For this patient, it was especially important to evaluate the risk of complications and the decision of open vs laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In this patient, robotic-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy was eventually performed. Due to the patient's hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and portal hypertension, special consideration was needed for trocar placement. In this case, we aim to exemplify that is of utmost importance to consider patient anatomy by using imaging and marking organ borders to inform trocar placement as part of the surgical approach.