Surgical Options for Retained Gallstones After Cholecystectomy

Retained gallstones are the most common cause of postcholecystectomy pain. They may be in a long remnant cystic duct (CD), the common bile duct (CBD), or within a remnant gallbladder (GB) post subtotal cholecystectomy. Although endoscopic management is often attempted, occasionally surgical clearance is required. Rates of preoperative surgery to remove stones in a remnant GB are rising due to the increased practice of subtotal cholecystectomy during a problematic laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study aims to review the surgical management of symptomatic retained stones at a tertiary hepatobiliary referral center in Sydney, Australia.

This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed on patients who underwent an operation for retained stones after a previous cholecystectomy over 18 years (2004-2022). All of the patients with residual CBD stones had failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) attempts or could not have an ERCP because of prior foregut surgery. All patients underwent a systematic preoperative workup confirming the biliary anatomy and pathology.

Fourteen patients had surgical intervention for retained stones. All cases were attempted laparoscopically and were successful in 11/14 patients (78%). Retained stones were found within a remnant GB (29%, n=4), a remnant CD (36%, n=5), or the CBD (36%, n=5). Conversion to an open procedure in 3 patients was for dense fibrosis associated with a long low-insertion of the CD, necessitating a hepatico-jejunostomy, failure to delineate the biliary anatomy, and inability to clear CBD stones, respectively. One patient developed a minor postoperative complication (superficial wound infection), and all patients were free of symptoms at a median follow-up of 33.5 months.

This study demonstrates favorable outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic intervention for retained gallstones. A systematic approach to the workup and surgical management of patients with retained stones is essential.