Gallbladder to the left side of the falciform ligament in absence of Situs Inversus “Sinistroposition” – Case series of 2 patients with this anomaly who underwent mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

IntroductionGallbladders located to the left of falciform ligament, without situs inversus, are denominated sinistroposition or true left-sided gallbladders; it is considered a rare anatomic anomaly with a prevalence in between 0.1% and 0.7%. Left-sided gallbladder usually occur as a component of situs inversus. Presentation of casesWe report a case series of two patients of true left-sided gallbladder that were found at our institution from 2015 to 2017; the anatomic anomalies were discovered during the performance of mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis with cholelithiasis in both cases. Both patients underwent a successful surgery and there were no postsurgical complications. DiscussionThe reported prevalence of left-sided gallbladder is between 0.1% and 0.7%, thus considered a rare anatomic finding. Currently, with advances in diagnostic imaging modalities, the report of left-sided gallbladder has increased nowadays. It may be a more common anomaly than previously thought. ConclusionTrue left-sided gallbladder can be an incidental finding; it is in part due to the fact that radiographic images do not typically detect this anomaly, therefore surgeons must be aware of this condition because it is associated with anomalies in the intrahepatic portal vein and biliary tree.