The use of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for complicated cholelithiasis

Background The risk of damage to the bile duct and structures in the hilum of the liver is significant when Calot's triangle cannot be safely dissected during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and conversion to an open procedure often is performed. This is more common during emergency surgery, but may not render the procedure any easier. Traditionally, open subtotal cholecystectomy was performed, but with the advent of laparoscopic surgery, this has fallen from favor. The authors report their experience using laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy to avoid bile duct injury and conversion in difficult cases. Methods Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy, performed when the cystic duct cannot be identified safely, consists of resecting the anterior wall of the gallbladder, removing all stones, and placing a large drain into Hartmann's pouch. The notes for all patients who underwent a laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy between 1 September 2001 and 31 December 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Subtotal cholecystectomy was performed in 26 cases including 13 emergency and 13 elective procedures. The median age of the patients (15 women and 11 men) was 68 years (range, 36-86 years). The indications were severe fibrosis in 16 cases, inflammatory mass or empyema in 8 cases, and gangrenous gallbladder or perforation in 2 cases. The median postoperative inpatient stay was 5 days (range, 2-26 days). Five patients underwent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: four for persistent biliary leak and one for a retained common bile duct stone. One patient required laparotomy for subphrenic abscess, and one patient (American Society of Anesthesiology [ASA] grade 4, presenting with biliary peritonitis) died 2 days postoperatively. One patient required a subsequent completion laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a retained gallstone. One patient had a chest infection, and two patients experienced port-site hernias. Conclusions Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a viable procedure during cholecystectomy in which Calot's triangle cannot be dissected. It averts the need for a laparotomy.