title: Surgical implications of a left-sided gallbladder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A left-sided gallbladder in a normally positioned liver is considered to be a very uncommon anomaly. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely, but bile duct injury is not unusual. It is associated with anomalous intrahepatic portal and biliary systems which impacts any form of partial hepatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of patients with left-sided gallbladder who were managed by the hepatobiliary surgeons at our institution since 1996.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients with left-sided gallbladder underwent a hepatobiliary procedure. Of the 13 patients with gallstones, only 1 was diagnosed before cholecystectomy. Nine operations were completed laparoscopically, whereas 4 required an open procedure. Two patients were referred with bile duct injuries. There was 1 liver resection for a colorectal metastasis. Left-sided gallbladders in 3 deceased organ donors resulted in major implications in the performance of liver transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left-sided gallbladders are probably more common than generally believed but are rarely diagnosed before cholecystectomy. Associated bile duct injury appears to be not infrequent. Because of the aberrant vasculobiliary anatomy, any form of liver resection requires careful planning.
authors: Hepatobiliary Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia. russell_strong@health.qld.gov.au
authors: Russell W
authors: RW
authors: Strong
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Fawcett
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hatzifotis
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Hodgkinson
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Lynch
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: O'Rourke
authors: Kellee
authors: K
authors: Slater
authors: Shinn
authors: S
authors: Yeung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000293:injuries*; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome