Wandering Gallbladder: A Case Report

Wandering gallbladder is a variation in the biliary anatomy described in the literature as being attached only by the cystic duct and its mesentery. Its propensity for torsion places it at risk for necrosis. There have been over 500 cases of gallbladder torsion reported in the literature but less than 10 reports of wandering gallbladder. To our knowledge there have been no reports of cholecystectomy for wandering gallbladder found incidentally. A 51-year-old male from Pakistan with hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, high cholesterol, and renal stones presented with a chief complaint of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound was significant for a mildly distended gallbladder with small gallstones in the gallbladder fundus. The patient was discharged with a diagnosis of cholelithiasis and scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient. During the procedure, upon entering the abdominal cavity, a gallbladder was not seen in the gallbladder fossa. It was attached to the cystic duct, thickened with a long mesentery and not attached to the liver. There were no signs of torsion. The patient was treated successfully and discharged home with an uncomplicated hospital course. Diagnosis can be challenging because the clinical presentation can be variable. Fewer than a dozen cases have been reported where the diagnosis was made preoperatively. Early diagnosis of gallbladder torsion with cholecystectomy is essential to avoid the deadly complications of perforation and bilious peritonitis. Understanding the pathophysiology, clinical findings, and treatment can have a broad impact across biliary surgery in preventing these complications.