Hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to cholecystectomy: a one in a million chance.
BACKGROUND
Cholecystectomy is a common procedure and its complications are well documented.


METHODS
A 63-year-old female sustained a bile duct injury during cholecystectomy requiring choledochoduodenostomy. She subsequently developed secondary biliary cirrhosis and ultimately required orthotopic liver transplantation. A focus of hepatocellular carcinoma was discovered within her liver.


CONCLUSIONS
This case represents the first documented case of hepatocellular carcinoma as a late complication of cholecystectomy. The risk of this occurring can be estimated at 1:1,140,000 (range 1:11,000 to 1:120,000,000).
Clayton
R A E
RA
Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (Surgery), University of Edinburgh & Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
Bettschart
V
V
Parks
R W
RW
Garden
O J
OJ