Introduction: Common bile duct (CBD) injury is the most serious complication of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LapC). Nonetheless, complications of LapC as a treatment for CBD injury are rare in pregnancy. There have been no published case reports regarding complications of CBD injury in gravida patients and their management.
Case presentation: We reported a 32-year-old primiparous woman with CBD injury following open conversion of LapC in 14-15 weeks of pregnancy with enterocutaneous fistula complications. She presented with yellowish fluid leakage from an open wound in her abdomen, and had a history of gallbladder removal and corrective surgery due to bile leakage and intestinal adhesions. Tenderness and serous fluid were found in the area of the previous surgery scar. The laboratory examination showed that the patient was in anaemic condition; Fetal ultrasound examinations showed that the fetus' condition was within normal limits. The patient was given supportive and medical management with further MRCP plans as well as maternal-fetal close and regular monitoring.
Clinical discussion: In addition to the history and physical examinations, biliary tract imaging holds a pivotal role in this case. LapC is a surgical technique recommended to treat symptomatic cholelithiasis in pregnancies. Despite being rare in pregnancy, prevention of CBD injury by recognizing the pearls and pitfalls of LapC should be done.
Conclusion: Key points for successful treatment of this case are characterized by early recognition of CBD injury, fluid collection and infection control, nutritional balance, and multidisciplinary approaches of the Surgery Department and Obstetrics-Gynaecology Department.
Keywords: CBD injury; CBD, Common Bile Duct; Case report; LapC, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; MRCP, Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography; Open conversion; Pregnancy.
© 2022 The Authors.