Anatomical Variations and Congenital Anomalies of the Gallbladder Observed during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background: Understanding the basics of embryologic development and the structure of the gallbladder can help identify and detect various abnormalities. This study aims to identify anatomical variations and congenital anomalies of the gallbladder in Sudanese patients observed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods and Results: A retrospective study included 345 patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The study patients’ ages ranged from 14 to 71, with a mean age of 45.59±13.29 years. Of 345 cases of cholelithiasis, 83.2% were females, and 16.8% were males, with a female-to-male ratio of 4.95:1. Preoperative ultrasound examination revealed chronic cholecystitis in 99.7% of patients. Among the operated patients, the majority (99.13%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 0.87% open cholecystectomy. A normal anatomy of the biliary system was found in 82.9% of all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Among 59 patients with anomalies of the biliary system, gallbladder anomalies were detected in 19(32.2%) cases and included buried gallbladder (11.9%), floating gallbladder (1.7%), double gallbladder (3.4%), bilobed gallbladder (8.5%), and diverticulum of the gallbladder (6.8%). Conclusion: During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgeons must identify anomalies to prevent unintended intraoperative injury and bleeding, thereby improving postoperative outcomes.

Keywords

• gallbladder
• biliary system
• cholelithiasis
• laparoscopic cholecystectomy