Duplicated gallbladder with stones: Rare anomaly of the biliary system

ABSTRACT Introduction and importance: Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly of the biliary system and is associated with an increased risk of complications such as bile duct injury during cholecystectomy. Case presentation: A 40-year-old woman was admitted for symptomatic cholelithiasis. All preoperative workups were normal, except for an abdominal ultrasound which reported of gallstones. However, during the open cholecystectomy, duplicated gallbladder was an intraoperative surprise. Both gallbladders were successfully removed, and the patient had a smooth recovery without any complications. Clinical discussion: The presence of a duplicated gallbladder necessitates careful consideration of the biliary ductal and arterial anatomy anomaly to prevent complications during cholecystectomy. While ultrasound is typically used as an initial diagnostic tool for suspected duplicated gallbladder, it can miss the diagnosis of duplicated gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred method of treatment in an ideal surgical setting. Conclusion: Duplication of the gallbladder requires special attention to the biliary ductal and arterial anatomy. Preoperative imaging should be helpful for diagnosis. Highlights