Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS)

Abstract

The term postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) comprises a heterogeneous group of symptoms and findings in patients who have previously undergone cholecystectomy. Although rare, these patients may present with abdominal pain, jaundice or dyspeptic symptoms. Many of these complaints can be attributed to complications including bile duct injury, biliary leak, biliary fistula and retained bile duct stones. Late sequelae include recurrent bile duct stones and bile duct strictures. With the number of cholecystectomies being performed increasing in the laparoscopic era the number of patients presenting with PCS is also likely to increase. We briefly explore the syndrome and its main aetiological theories.