title: The lost laparoscopic stone. Potential for long-term complications.
abstract: Intraperitoneal gallstones left behind at laparoscopic cholecystectomy are not uncommon. Such stones have previously been thought to be harmless. We report three instances of delayed intra-abdominal infection and/or inflammation related to these misplaced gallstones. All three patients presented months postoperatively with vague abdominal complaints. Computed tomography revealed inflammatory foci involving intraperitoneal gallstones. All patients required percutaneous or operative drainage of the collections. Every effort should be made to locate and remove "spilled" gallstones at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponce
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Cutshall
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Browder
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002137:Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy