DELAYED GALLSTONE ABSCESS FOLLOWING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Delayed infectious complications following elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy have not been well delineated in the medical literature. Irretrievable spillage of gallbladder contents at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not rare, and has generally been felt to be of little consequence, particularly in the nonacute setting. The case presented documents an instance of delayed gallstone abscess formation after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. While rare, such cases highlight the need for refined techniques to prevent gallbladder perforation during this procedure and to allow laparoscopic recovery of small gallstones spilled at the time of cholecystectomy.