Spontaneous erosion of a lost intra-abdominal gallstone through the back eight months following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with spillage of bile and gallstones occurs in up to 40% of patients. Several reports have recently been published describing complications related to these lost gallstones. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of this complication in our patients.


METHODS
A prospectively maintained database of 856 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between 1989 and 1996 by a single surgeon was analyzed.


RESULTS
The number of perforations resulting in loss of stones in the abdominal cavity was 16% (165 patients). Of these 165 patients, only a single patient could be identified as having a long-term complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-abdominal lost gallstones can produce complications secondary to migration and erosion. It is prudent to make a concerted effort to remove spilled gallstones by every possible means but conversion to laparotomy is not justifiable.
Memon
M A
MA
Department of Surgery, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA.
Jenkins
H J
HJ
Fitzgibbons
R J
RJ
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001415:Back; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents