Rare haemorrhagic complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a “gold standard” for cholelithiasis treatment and is considered to be a safe method of treatment for acute cholecystitis. Among complications of this procedure, gallbladder and bile duct injuries as well as haemorrhage caused by vascular, hepatic or abdominal wall vessel injuries are most frequent. Rarer complications include duodenum, colon and other visceral perforations or vascular injuries. Four thousand five hundred and ninety-five laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in a single department of surgery from 1994 to 2008. Since 2001, ten serious complications have been noted. Herein we present our experience with rare complications after LC: splenic lesion and abdominal aorta rupture. Surgeons should always be aware of even unlikely complications of frequently performed procedures. In the case of intra-abdominal haemorrhage after LC and no apparent bleeding site in the operated region, injury to distal organs should always be considered. Whenever suspicion of intraperitoneal haemorrhage after LC is raised, revision by laparoscopy should be considered, and as shock symptoms develop, urgent laparotomy is required.