Remnant Gallbladder Cholecystitis After Subtotal Cholecystectomy: Management and Outcome

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Innovation
• Biliary Tract Disease

Background:

• Subtotal cholecystectomy (STC) is an alternative for complex gallbladder inflammation.
• Patients may develop symptomatic gallstones in the remnant gallbladder after STC.
• Redo resection of the gallbladder remnant presents surgical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the diagnosis and surgical management of remnant gallbladder cholecystitis.
• To evaluate the outcomes of redo surgery for gallbladder remnant stones.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of patients with gallbladder remnant stones (2018-2023).
• Inclusion criteria: symptoms directly linked to gallbladder remnant stones.
• Surgical management involved laparoscopic redo cholecystectomy.

Main Results:

• Six patients presented with symptoms from gallbladder remnant stones.
• Presentations included stump cholecystitis, cholangitis, Mirizzi syndrome, and liver abscess.
• All patients underwent laparoscopic redo cholecystectomy (1 conversion); all symptoms resolved without major complications.

Conclusions:

• Symptomatic gallstone disease in the remnant gallbladder is rare.
• Redo cholecystectomy is necessary for these cases.
• Laparoscopic redo cholecystectomy appears feasible and safe based on this series.