Laparoscopic Repair of Cholecystoduodenal Fistula: Report of Two Cases

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has become the standard of care for benign gallbladder disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated two middle-aged women having acute exacerbations of chronic gallbladder disease with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A cholecystoduodenal fistula was diagnosed intraoperatively in each case. These fistulae were repaired laparoscopically using an endoscopic stapling device without complication. RESULTS: Each patient did well postoperatively and was discharged to home on the second postoperative day in good condition. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary-enteric fistula is a known complication of chronic gallbladder disease that is traditionally considered a contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, we believe laparoscopic repair to be a safe and effective approach in the hands of surgeons with significant laparoscopic experience.