Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a result of acute calculous cholecystitis in Pediatrics

Cir Pediatr. 2023 Oct 1;36(4):186-190. doi: 10.54847/cp.2023.04.15.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: In spite of the increase in the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the last decades, no recommendations regarding the best treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (AC) in Pediatrics have been developed.

Clinical case: 4-year-old, 20kg male patient with no significant history referred to our institution as a result of abdominal sepsis. The blood count showed leukocytosis, with normal hemoglobin and bilirubin levels, and a normal liver function. The abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis, gallbladder hydrops, and an inflammatory process compatible with appendicular plastron. In the diagnostic laparoscopy, the appendix was macroscopically normal, and acute cholecystitis was observed. Given the patient's situation, and in cooperation with the General Surgery Department, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out. The patient recovered uneventfully on hospitalization day 5 under piperacillin-tazobactam treatment.

Discussion: There are no recommendations regarding AC treatment in children. In septic patients, cooperation between general and pediatric surgeons allows urgent cholecystectomy to be considered as a safe option.

Introduccion: Pese al aumento en la prevalencia de colelitiasis durante las últimas décadas, no se han desarrollado recomendaciones sobre el mejor tratamiento de la colecistitis aguda litiásica (CA) en Pediatría.

Caso clinico: Paciente varón de 4 años y 20 kg de peso sin antecedentes de interés, que acude derivado por sepsis de origen abdominal. Analíticamente destaca leucocitosis con hemoglobina, función hepática y bilirrubina normales. La ecografía abdominal muestra colelitiasis, hidrops vesicular y proceso inflamatorio compatible con plastrón apendicular. En laparoscopia diagnóstica se observa apéndice macroscópicamente normal y colecistitis aguda. Ante la situación del paciente se realiza, conjuntamente con Cirugía General, colecistectomía laparoscópica. El paciente se recupera sin incidencias tras 5 días de ingreso bajo cobertura con piperacilina-tazobactam.

Comentarios: No existen recomendaciones sobre el tratamiento de la CA en niños. En los pacientes sépticos, la colaboración entre cirujanos pediátricos y cirujanos generales permite contemplar la colecistectomía urgente como una opción segura.

Keywords: Acute cholecystitis; Children; Cholelithiasis; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* / adverse effects
  • Cholecystitis, Acute* / etiology
  • Cholecystitis, Acute* / surgery
  • Cholelithiasis* / complications
  • Cholelithiasis* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male