The Liver Abscess after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. A Case Report.

Abstract

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard in the management of symptomatic gallstones. However, it is estimated that there are 2–15 cases of hepatic abscesses per 100,000 people in the U.S., mostly of bacterial etiology, and approximately half of these are caused by cholangitis. Given the infrequency of cholangitis-induced pyogenic hepatic abscesses and the 0.4 % incidence of choledocholithiasis in post-cholecystectomy patients, pyogenic hepatic abscesses secondary to post-cholecystectomy choledocholithiasis comprise a rare entity. A hepatic abscess occurring post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a known complication that can manifest months or even years after the surgery. This case involves a 56-year-old female patient who presented with a 10-day history of abdominal pain and discomfort, primarily in the right hypochondrium, accompanied by fever unresponsive to antibiotics and antipyretics. The appropriate treatment approach was chosen based on clinical signs, abscess size, and the patient's overall condition. Conclusion: This case shows the late complications arising from gallstone spillage into the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It underscores the importance of careful laparoscopic exploration, especially in gallbladder perforation and stone spillage cases. Detailed documentation of the operative procedure is crucial, as it aids in the prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of long-term complications such as abscess formation.