Tumour implantation at umbilicus after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma

Seeding of tumour cells at the umbilical port during laparoscopic surgery for staging malignant disease has been reported. In this paper a 69-year-old woman is described who had umbilical metastasis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for unsuspected gallbladder cancer. The experience of this case and that of other reports suggests that when laparoscopic techniques are used for the resection of tumours, the excised specimen should be enclosed in a nonporous bag for removal through the abdominal wall.