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Cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea: rare complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lee, VS; Paulson, EK; Libby, E; Flannery, JE; Meyers, WC
Published in: Gastroenterology
December 1993

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now considered a safe procedure for the management of cholelithiasis. During the procedure, stone spillage can occur and is usually not considered a serious complication. Clearance of stones can be laborious and is often avoided. Two patients with complications from gross intraperitoneal stone spillage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, namely cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea, are presented. Both patients developed cholelithoptysis, or the coughing up of gallstones, within 1 year of their laparoscopic surgery. In addition, the second patient also experienced the passage of stones from a fistula at the incision site of a remote lumbar laminectomy, which we term cholelithorrhea. We propose that cholelithoptysis developed from the transdiaphragmatic extension of intraperitoneal abscesses and the subsequent formation of bronchopleural fistulas. We believe that gross intraperitoneal stone spillage should be avoided and remedied, if possible, by removal of stones and copious irrigation.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Gastroenterology

DOI

ISSN

0016-5085

Publication Date

December 1993

Volume

105

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1877 / 1881

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Pleural Diseases
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  • Female
  • Cholelithiasis
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic
  • Bronchial Fistula
  • 3210 Nutrition and dietetics
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Lee, V. S., Paulson, E. K., Libby, E., Flannery, J. E., & Meyers, W. C. (1993). Cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea: rare complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gastroenterology, 105(6), 1877–1881. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(93)91087-x
Lee, V. S., E. K. Paulson, E. Libby, J. E. Flannery, and W. C. Meyers. “Cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea: rare complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Gastroenterology 105, no. 6 (December 1993): 1877–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(93)91087-x.
Lee VS, Paulson EK, Libby E, Flannery JE, Meyers WC. Cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea: rare complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gastroenterology. 1993 Dec;105(6):1877–81.
Lee, V. S., et al. “Cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea: rare complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Gastroenterology, vol. 105, no. 6, Dec. 1993, pp. 1877–81. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0016-5085(93)91087-x.
Lee VS, Paulson EK, Libby E, Flannery JE, Meyers WC. Cholelithoptysis and cholelithorrhea: rare complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gastroenterology. 1993 Dec;105(6):1877–1881.
Journal cover image

Published In

Gastroenterology

DOI

ISSN

0016-5085

Publication Date

December 1993

Volume

105

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1877 / 1881

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Pleural Diseases
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  • Female
  • Cholelithiasis
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic
  • Bronchial Fistula
  • 3210 Nutrition and dietetics