A rare case report of ectopic gallbladder

To report a rare case of ectopic gallbladder herniating along the ligamentum teres hepatis and to emphasize the pivotal role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification and diagnosis of ectopic gallbladder.

A 47-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history presented with intermittent epigastric discomfort. On admission, vital signs were: Blood Pressure 147/96 mmHg, Heart Rate 96 bpm, Temperature 36.6°C, Respiratory Rate 18/min. Abdominal ultrasonography failed to identify the gallbladder. Abdominal computed tomography was performed and showed an ill-defined cystic structure in the anterior abdominal wall extending to the umbilicus. Diagnostic laparoscopy was adopted for exploration, and the lesion was resected. Pathological examination was carried out on the resected specimen.

Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a tubular structure coursing along the ligamentum teres hepatis, consistent with an ectopic gallbladder accompanied by partial omental herniation through the umbilicus. Pathological examination confirmed the resected structure as an ectopic gallbladder. The patient recovered smoothly and was discharged on the second postoperative day. At the one-month and three-month follow-ups, no complications or obvious discomfort were observed.

Ectopic gallbladder herniating along the ligamentum teres hepatis is extremely rare. Diagnostic laparoscopy plays a key role in the definite diagnosis of ectopic gallbladder. Surgical resection achieves satisfactory outcomes with favorable postoperative recovery.