Uncommon left hepatic duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the gold standard in the treatment of symptomatic gallstones but has been shown to have a higher incidence of biliary tree lesions (0.3-1%) compared with reported traditional open approaches. Loss of three-dimensional view and of depth perception is the main limit of the laparoscopic approach, especially if particular risk factors are associated (e.g., postinflammatory fibrosis, anatomic variations). Moreover, inadequate training may justify the increase of biliary tract lesions. The authors describe a unique case of left hepatic duct clipped without section of the duct itself during an otherwise 'easy' operation. At the reintervention, because of the favorable local condition, a reconstruction was possible after a small duct resection with a ductal- hepatic anastomosis over a T-tube. This was removed after 8 months because of the good patency of the biliary tree and the absence of cholestasys. A long- term follow-up is mandatory for a complete functional evaluation.