Percutaneous removal of spilled gallstones in a subhepatic abscess

Abstract

Abscess formation from spilled gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is infrequent. However, if an abscess does form and contains the spilled stones simple percutaneous drainage will not resolve the dilemma of a recurrent abscess. Open drainage has previously been recommended to remove the retained stones and decrease recurrent abscess formation. We report two cases in which the retained stones within an abscess were successfully removed using a percutaneous minimally invasive urological technique.