Remnant Gallbladder Resection after Subtotal Cholecystectomy Is Challenging but Effective

Zhu A, Benedek L, Deng S, et al. Resection of the Remnant Gallbladder After Subtotal Cholecystectomy: An Institutional Experience. Surgery. 2024, in press.

Removal of the remnant gallbladder following subtotal cholecystectomy is needed in a small number of patients; the most common reason for remnant cholecystectomy is recurrent gallbladder pain or cholecystitis.

This retrospective study reviewed outcomes of remnant cholecystectomy in 46 patients cared for in a single institution over a 14-year interval. Cholecystitis was the indication for operation in more than 80% of patients. Other causes included choledocholithiasis, gallstone pancreatitis, and intraabdominal abscess.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in all except two patients who required conversion to an open procedure. Significant complications requiring endoscopic or percutaneous intervention occurred in four patients. At follow up (median 36 days), 95.6% of patients were completely pain free.

The authors concluded that remnant cholecystectomy was technically challenging but was safe and effective.