Lithiasic cholecystitis in children - a clinical case

Objective: We present the clinical case of a girl suffering for a chronic lithiasic cholecystitis, discussing the indication for surgical treatment. Material and Methods: The patient was a thirteen years old girl who suffered of an abdominal dyspeptic syndrome for two years, the diagnosis of chronic lithiasic cholecystitis being delayed because of ultrasonographic difficulties to visualize biliary stones of little dimensions. As an associate pathology, the patient was diagnosed two years before with a cortical right renal cyst, which was considered to be responsible for the right quadrant pain. The patient underwent a laparoscopic retrograde cholecystectomy, and then she was treated with gastric antisecretory drugs. Results: At 18 months after the surgery, she is free of symptoms. Conclusion: surgery is the treatment of choice even for children when they present symptomatic lithiasic cholecystitis.