Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for a Symptomatic Remnant Gallbladder with Concurrent Cholelithiasis and Gallbladder Polyp: A Case Report

Aim and background: This case report aims to present a rare and challenging instance of a symptomatic remnant gallbladder harboring both cholelithiasis and a gallbladder polyp, managed successfully with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).Remnant gallbladder syndrome is an atypical but important differential diagnosis in patients with persistent biliary symptoms after subtotal cholecystectomy.Case description: A 57-year-old male presented with a history of intermittent right upper quadrant pain in the abdomen, 12 years after undergoing an open subtotal cholecystectomy.Imaging with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) confirmed a remnant gallbladder containing a 12 8.3 mm polyp and a single gallstone.The patient underwent laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy using a four-port technique.Intraoperative findings included dense adhesions and distorted anatomy.Despite technical challenges, the critical view of safety was achieved, and the LC was successfully performed.Histopathology revealed chronic cholecystitis with a benign tubular adenoma.The patient had an uneventful recovery aside from postoperative atelectasis, which was managed conservatively.He remained asymptomatic at the three-month follow-up.Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a feasible and effective option for treating symptomatic remnant gallbladders, including in patients with a history of open abdominal surgery.Even in technically demanding cases, this approach can achieve favorable outcomes with low morbidity when performed by experienced surgeons.Clinical significance: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy represents a technically feasible and efficacious intervention for symptomatic remnant gallbladder management, demonstrating favorable outcomes with reduced perioperative morbidity, even in patients with previous open abdominal surgeries.