No abstract

Partial cholecystectomy is usually performed with the aim of preventing bile duct injury and/or vascular injuries in situations where there is difficulty in performing cholecystectomy. Occasionally, such patients can become symptomatic due to recurrence or persistence of disease in the gallbladder remnant and may require further treatment. A case series of various presentations and follow up of nine patients who had undergone open partial cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease in the past. Of the 9 patients, 8 were symptomatic, and each of them was found to have a remnant of the gallbladder. Gallbladder remnant was removed in all of them laparoscopicallly, with resolution of the symptoms. One patient remained asymptomatic and is on regular on follow-up. So, although partial cholecystectomy is an accepted, safe option in difficult cases, these patients must be counselled regarding the recurrence of symptoms, and must be kept on follow-up. If symptoms develop, completion of cholecystectomy laparoscopically is a feasible option.