Significance of post-cholecystectomy subhepatic fluid collections.

A prospective ultrasound study of the right upper quadrant in 105 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy showed the incidence of fluid collection in the gall bladder fossa to be 24% 2 to 4 days after operation. In all but two patients, these fluid collections were of no clinical significance. The relationship between the presence of fluid and several other variables, such as use of drains and surgical techniques, are discussed.