Kartagener syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive condition. Approximately 25% of those with situs inversus totalis suffer the syndrome. With the rising overall number and indications for bariatric surgery, this condition will be increasingly recognised. We present a case of a 25-year-old woman with SIT and Kartagener syndrome who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. As with all bariatric surgery, a multidisciplinary team approach was important in managing such a case. There were considerable cognitive challenges for the surgical team both preoperatively and during the procedure. The patient tolerated the operation well and was discharged 2 days after the surgery. At 12-months follow-up, the patient had achieved 125% excess weight loss. This case illustrates that an experienced surgeon can safely perform a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on a patient with situs inversus totalis.
Keywords: cardiovascular medicine; general surgery.
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