Carcinoma of the gallbladder found during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report and review of the literature.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become an accepted appropriate method for removal of the diseased gallbladder. With cancer of the gallbladder to be expected in 1-2% of all biliary tract operations, it is likely that surgeons may be confronted with the unsuspected finding of gallbladder carcinoma during the course of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We present here a case of gallbladder carcinoma found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and discuss the interesting clinical findings associated with this entity, including the preoperative suggestion of Trousseau's syndrome. A review of the pertinent literature is included.