Diagnosis of Pulmonary Injury During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case Report

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is widely regarded as the standard treatment for acute cholecystitis, particularly in emergency settings. Although it is a minimally invasive procedure with a relatively high safety profile, intraoperative complications can occur, some of which are rare but potentially life-threatening. We report the case of an 86-year-old male patient who underwent emergency LC for acute cholecystitis, during which an iatrogenic injury to the right hemidiaphragm with ipsilateral lung involvement was identified. This complication resulted in a pneumothorax, necessitating immediate chest drainage. In this context, the anesthesiologist plays a critical role in the early recognition of pneumothorax through bedside lung ultrasonography, enabling prompt diagnosis and intervention. This case highlights the importance of early detection and a multidisciplinary approach in managing uncommon intraoperative complications.