Transvaginal removal of gallbladders with large stones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Very large gallstones sometimes render laparoscopic cholecystectomy time consuming and difficult. In addition, several advantages of laparoscopy, namely decreased postoperative pain and minimal abdominal scarring, could be compromised by the need to enlarge the umbilical incision. Besides the solution of the mechanical or electrohydraulic fragmentation of such large gallstones, as described by several authors, we propose a posterior colpotomy as a simple technique for removing very large gallbladders in women.