Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: imaging and intervention

Cholecystectomy is the most common abdominal operation done in the United States, with more than half a million cholecystectomies performed annually. Recently, there has been a trend to perform laparoscopic, rather than open, cholecystectomy. The introduction of any new technique involves a learning curve for surgeons, and several complications may occur with this procedure. Radiologists may be called on to help diagnose and manage injuries occurring after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This article will review the complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, emphasizing the role of imaging in both diagnosis and nonsurgical management of these injuries.