Case report of a duplicated cystic duct: A unique challenge for the laparoscopic surgeon

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports 2019-01, Vol.56, p.78-81
• Main Authors: Munie, Semeret, Nasser, Hassan, Go, Pauline H., Rosso, Kelly, Woodward, Ann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bile duct variation; Double cystic duct; Duplicated cystic duct; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.02.030

•Double cystic ducts with a single gallbladder is exceedingly rare.•Diagnosis of this anatomic variant is most commonly made intraoperatively.•Knowledge of biliary aberancies is crucial to preventing bile duct injury.•IOC should be utilized to elucidate biliary anatomy when unclear. Anatomical variants of the extrahepatic biliary tree are numerous, adding significantly to the risk of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy, especially when laparoscopic approach is employed. Duplicated cystic ducts draining a single gallbladder are extremely rare. A 34-year-old female presented with signs and symptoms of acute cholecystitis which was confirmed on imaging. She was found to have an accessory cystic duct on laparoscopic cholecystectomy requiring conversion to open laparotomy with intraoperative cholangiogram to delineate the anatomy. In the English literature, there has been 20 reported cases of double cystic duct with a single gallbladder. Most of these cases were diagnosed intraoperatively despite the completion of a preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a few of these patients. The limited success of preoperative biliary tract imaging in demonstrating anatomic aberrancies prior to cholecystectomy clearly highlights the importance of maintaining constant vigilance for even the slightest anatomic abnormality at operation. Any uncertainty or concern for ductal injury mandates immediate operative cholangiogram with cannulation of all structures in question.