Managing chilaiditi syndrome in laparoscopic surgery

Chilaiditi syndrome is a rare condition in which a portion of the colon, typically the hepatic flexure, becomes interposed between the liver and the diaphragm. [1]This anatomical anomaly can mimic more serious conditions, such as pneumoperitoneum, on imaging and may be associated with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, or respiratory distress due to compression of the diaphragm. [2]In most cases, Chilaiditi syndrome is asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on radiographs or Computed Tomography (CT) scans.However, when symptoms arise or when the condition complicates surgical procedures, particularly in the upper abdomen, careful preoperative planning is essential.The syndrome can pose challenges during surgeries like laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as it alters the usual anatomical landmarks, potentially increasing the risk of bowel injury or complicating access to the liver and gallbladder.