Bile peritonitis from a cholecystohepatic bile ductule: an unusual complication of cholecystectomy

A case is presented of postoperative bile peritonitis from an accessory cholecystohepatic bile ductule after cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Accessory bile ductules (ducts of Luschka) are occasionally encountered in the gallbladder fossa but do not drain directly into the gallbladder fundus. Nevertheless, they may be injured during surgery and may go unrecognized. When recognized intraoperatively, ligation is acceptable; however, when they are actively leaking bile and are greater than 2 mm in diameter, repair of injured cholecystohepatic ducts may be indicated. This case serves to reemphasize one argument for the routine placement of drains after cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.