title: Cholelithoptysis: an unusual complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is emerging as a preferred surgical method in the treatment of cholecystitis. Decreased morbidity and mortality rates make this an attractive alternative to conventional cholecystectomy. Recently, specific complications including bile duct transection, biloma formation, and liver lacerations have been reported. We report here, however, an unusual case of intraoperative spillage of stones into the intraperitoneal cavity. Subsequent erosion through the diaphragm resulted in expectoration of stones, or cholelithoptysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Warshauer
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012086:Reoperation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography