Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Situs Inversus, a Novel Port Placement Technique, Two Case Reports, and Review of Literature

Situs Inversus Totalis (SIT) is a rare and silent autosomal recessive disease in which all organs are on the opposite side. Diagnosis of gallbladder diseases will be difficult due to these anatomical changes. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for gallbladder diseases but is technically challenging for patients.

Two 52- and 64-year-old women with known SIT who complained of intermittent epigastric pain and nausea after eating fatty and bulky meals were examined. With the help of abdominal ultrasound, a gallbladder on the left side of the abdomen with multiple gallstones was shown.

Since the successful primary cholecystectomy was performed on a patient with SIT in 1991, several modifications have been made for port insertion. Surgeons try to overcome technical problems by making various adjustments compared to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with SIT is safe. However, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is challenging due to anatomical changes in the SIT. Our proposed method of port placement helps right-handed surgeons for safer and easier dissection.