Independent case report
Gallbladder duplication: evaluation, treatment, and classification☆,☆☆

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Abstract

Duplicate gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from abnormalities in embryogenesis during the fifth and sixth weeks of gestation. Approximately 210 cases have been described. Variations include duplicate, triplicate, and septated gallbladder. We encountered a 15-year-old girl with both a duplicated gallbladder and a duplicated cystic duct who underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This combination is extremely unusual, and based upon our findings in this case and a review of the literature, we propose the Unified Classification of Multiple Gallbladders.

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Case report

A 15-year-old girl was referred to the pediatric surgery clinic after 10 years of right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Laboratory evaluation was notable for normal total bilirubin and liver function. Imaging demonstrated cholelithiasis with no evidence of any other complicating factors. She was taken to the operating room where she underwent a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of extremely dense adhesions around the cystic duct and body. During this dissection, the cystic duct

Discussion

Gallbladder duplication was described in ancient Roman text. It is seen in 0.026% of autopsy patients [1]. In multiple gallbladder anatomy, each gallbladder must have valves at the neck, a tunica muscularis, and the ability to concentrate bile. The Harlaftis classification is the most commonly used classification and is divided into 2 main groups based upon embryogenesis (Fig. 4). Type 1, or split primordial group, is subdivided into septated, V shaped, or Y shaped. Therefore, when the cystic

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The investigators have adhered to the policies for protection of human subjects as prescribed in 45 CFR 46.

☆☆

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense or the US Government.

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