Carcinoma of a gallbladder polyp: treated by laparoscopic laser cholecystectomy

To define the significance of polyps of the gallbladder, we undertook a retrospective review of all gallbladders removed over a 10-month period in our institution. The discovery of polyps are usually incidental and treated as benign. Polyps can form because of cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, hypertrophy of the epithelial lining (adenoma or papilloma), or carcinoma. Of 461 gallbladder specimens, 12 had polyps with one containing carcinoma, and two more specimens had carcinoma. All but one case were treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Herein is described a case of a symptomatic patient presenting with a 1.1-cm polyp treated by laparoscopic laser cholecystectomy. An aggressive approach for gallbladder polyps with laparoscopy is proposed, especially in symptomatic patients or for polyps larger than 1 cm.