Partial cholecystectomy resulting in recurrent acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis

Partial cholecystectomy has been documented in the literature as a safe alternative in the management of patients with acute cholecystitis when the degree of inflammation prevents a safe dissection to identify the biliary structures for complete removal of the gallbladder. Partial cholecystectomy however is not without risk of recurrence, and the need for further surgical or endoscopic intervention in management of complications. We review a case in which partial cholecystectomy was performed without any relief of symptoms, to review the possible postoperative complications, and caution that these patients will need to be considered for a completion cholecystectomy.