Congenital absence of the gallbladder: ways of avoiding laparotomy
Akoh, J.A.; George, M.M.; Auld, C.D.; Walls, A.D.
British Journal of Clinical Practice 48(2): 77-78
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-0947 PMID: 8025001 Document Number: 424362
Two cases of congenital absence (agenesis) of the gallbladder seen at one hospital over a 5-year period are presented. One patient presented with ascending cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis, while the other presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain and equivocal findings on ultrasound and oral cholecystography. Although diagnosis was made at laparotomy in both cases, it is likely that the arrival of laparoscopic cholecystectomy will avoid laparotomy in the future. The place of laparoscopy in establishing the presence of this anomaly is discussed.