LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN SITUS INVERSUS TOTALIS: CASE REPORTS WITH REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

The first-ever known case of situs inversus in humans was reported by Fabricius in 1600[i]. The possible incidence in the region is approximated between 1:5000 and 1:20000¹. It can either be partial, in which the transposition gets confined to abdominal/thoracic viscera, or it may be complete, which includes both the cavities[ii].

Characterized by transposition of organs to the opposite side of the body, Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital anomaly. Due to atypical clinical picture and due to the contralateral disposition of the visceral organs in such cases of cholelithiasis, the diagnosis, as well as the treatment, becomes a tough task for the surgeon. In such patients laparoscopic cholecystectomy is undoubtedly more demanding. Even though it is more feasible but only trained and experiences laparoscopic surgeons must perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The skeletonizing of the cystic duct and cystic artery in Calot's triangle is a difficult task where additional time than the normal is required for locating the gall bladder.

Keywords: Cholelithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, situs inversus totalis