[Acute cholecystitis secondary to recurrent cholelithiasis after subtotal cholecystectomy].

Subtotal cholecystectomy is a well-established procedure for complicated acute cholecystitis. Short-term safety is good and few complications have been described during follow-up. However, residual gallbladder mucosa can produce new calculi, which can provoke the same symptoms and complications as those in non-operated patients and which require a high index of suspicion. Surgical treatment can be indicated. We report the case of a man who underwent subtotal cholecystectomy for complicated cholecystitis. Postoperative follow-up did not reveal residual cholelithiasis. The patient developed obstructive jaundice 8 years later. Initial studies (computed tomography and ultrasonography) showed no complications. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed residual gallbladder with recurrent cholelithiasis. Conservative management was initiated but gallbladder stump cholecystectomy was required for acute cholecystitis.