Hemobilia due to pseudoaneurysm of the right hepatic artery following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

• Published in: Gastroentérologie clinique et biologique Vol. 27; no. 3 Pt 1; pp. 341 - 343
• Main Authors: Iannelli, Antonio, Karimdjee, Babou Soilihi, Fabiani, Pascal, Benizri, Emmanuel Isaac, Converset, Sophie, Medjoubi, Sid Ali, Bornet, Pierre, Gugenheim, Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.03.2003
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Aneurysm, False - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm, False - etiology; Aneurysm, False - therapy; Angiography; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic - adverse effects; Cholecystitis - surgery; Embolization, Therapeutic; Female; Hematemesis - etiology; Hemobilia - diagnostic imaging; Hemobilia - etiology; Hemobilia - therapy; Hepatic Artery - injuries; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease
• ISSN: 0399-8320

Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered to be the gold standard for treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis, it is associated with an increased risk of biliary and vascular injury compared to the traditional technique. We report the case of a 36-year-old woman with haemobilia secondary to a pseudoaneurysm of the right branch of the hepatic artery, that occurred two months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient was successfully treated with embolisation of the right hepatic artery. Hemobilia is a rare complication that should considered when managing patients with bleeding or jaundice even several months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.