Duplication of the Gallbladder. A Case Report

Abstract

Gallbladder duplication is a rare anatomic malformation, which can now be detected by preoperative imaging study. We report a case of a symptomatic duplicated gallbladder, successfully treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This anomaly is important to know for surgeons because of associated anatomical variations of main bile duct and hepatic artery and increased risk of common bile duct injury.

Duplicated gallbladder with obstructive jaundice: a case report with video

“…Septations and partial duplications with one cystic duct, complete duplications within a common peritoneal coat, and intrahepatic duplications may go unnoticed if the surgeon is not aware of the abnormalities [7] . When identified preoperatively or at operation, the literature suggest benefit to removal of all gallbladders at a single operation to prevent persistent or recurrent symptoms [3,8,15] . In addition, multiple pathologies may exist.…”

“…Medical historians disagree about the first reported case of DG. Boyden [2] attribute the first documentation to Blasius in 1675, whereas Desolneux et al [3] and Udelsman and Sugarbaker [4] both credit a sacrificial victim of Emperor Augustus in 31 BC as the first reported case. There is consensus, however, over the uncommon incidence of this anomaly in the human population, which remains at 0.02 to 0.03 percent .…”

“…With respect to clinical presentation, DGs are not necessarily characterized by a specific set of symptoms . Therefore, DG may be discovered preoperatively, during surgery, or during specimen processing [3] . Computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography may all result in preoperative diagnosis that assists the surgeon in planning and conducting the operation [11] .…”

“…Treatment of DG via laparoscopy has been described on multiple occasions [12] . Removal of all gallbladders is vital in preventing persistent cholecystitis and future symptomatic gallstones [3,8] .…”

A bilobed Gallbladder (Vesica Fellea Divisa) in Cattle Slaughtered at Jimma Municipal Abattoir, West Oromiya, Ethiopia

“…Milot et al, (2007) has noted that duplication of the gallbladder as a possible cause of medical and surgical problems in human that requires surgical treatment. Desolneux et al, (2009) reported a Y-shaped type gallbladder and they were removed. Though gallbladder abnormalities are indicated to occur in animals, published reports were scarce in animals other than cats.…”