Post-cholecystectomy biliary collection

What it is

Jaundice after laparoscopic cholecystectomy can show itself in the first days: pale stool and a slightly icteric look can already be there on day 2 after lap chole.

The same complaint can also return later. Right upper quadrant pain like the pain before the operation, coming back some weeks after cholecystectomy and present for weeks, with mild jaundice and marked right upper quadrant tenderness, no palpable masses and an apyrexial patient, is most likely due to common bile duct stones. The four names around it are told apart by where the stone or the inflammation sits. Cholelithiasis is stones in the gallbladder, from aggregation and concentration of bile in the gallbladder. Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder and cystic duct, from obstruction of the cystic duct. Choledocholithiasis is stones in the CBD, from a gallstone in the CBD. Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts, the biliary system, from obstruction of the CBD. Cholecystitis itself is an obstructive stone in the cystic duct with inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, giving RUQ pain, fever, nausea and vomiting with a Murphy sign; it is looked at with RUQ ultrasound or HIDA, and treated with antibiotics and cholecystectomy.