Background: Postcholecystectomy syndrome due to abandoned intraperitoneal stones is a rare but significant complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Case: A 52-year-old woman with a history of cholecystectomy 15 years ago, who presented pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting. Imaging studies revealed intraperitoneal stones and scleroatrophic remnant gallbladder. Intervention: Laparoscopic reoperation was performed with extraction of two stones (one free intraperitoneal of 4×3 cm and another intravesicular of 5×3 cm) and completed cholecystectomy of the remaining gallbladder. Result: Successful procedure with no intraoperative complications. The patient had a favorable postoperative evolution with complete resolution of the symptoms. Conclusion: Laparoscopic management of postcholecystectomy syndrome due to residual stones is effective even in the presence of severe adhesions. Prevention by careful surgical technique and thorough washing during the initial cholecystectomy is essential.
Pedreros et al. (Tue,) studied this question.