Transient Pancreatitis Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Acute postoperative pancreatitis is an uncommon complication following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The common complications in the early postoperative period are usually attributable to a bile duct injury or a bleeding vessel. Pancreatitis in such a setting usually resolves by conservative management unless there is an active obstruction at the lower common bile duct. Very few cases have been documented in the literature in this contention. In this case report, a case of acute pancreatitis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is described in terms of the clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, management strategy, and a short review of the literature.

Post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy pancreatitis

“…Whether pre-existing CBD stones are initially missed and later after surgery may have passed down the CBD giving rise to gall stone pancreatitis is a possibilty. 2 However, in the case presented there was no evidence of gall stones in the CBD pre operatively. There is a high likelihood that during dissection of the Hartmann's pouch, few stones or a sludge ball might pass down the cystic duct into the common bile duct.…”