Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for triple gallbladder

Abstract

A very rare case involving true triplication of the gallbladder in a 38-year-old man with no other congenital abnormalities is reported. All three gallbladders had signs of chronic inflammatory disease and lithiasis. Acute cholecystitis and a double gallbladder were diagnosed preoperatively, but the diagnosis of a second accessory gallbladder was made only at the time of surgery. The patient underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When a triplicate gallbladder is encountered, complete dissection of Calot's triangle and intraoperative cholangiographic evaluation should be performed to prevent damage to the biliary duct system. All three gallbladders should be removed to avoid unnecessary reoperation. All of this can be accomplished readily by laparoscopic surgery.