Incarcerated paraumbilical incisional hernia and abscess--complications of a spilled gallstone

Gallstones may fall into the peritoneal cavity during performance of cholecystectomy. They are more easily retrieved in an open operation. Some controversy exists as to what should be done with gallstones lost during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) because complications of abandoned stones have been reported. This case report describes a patient who presented with an incarcerated hernia and an associated abscess cavity containing a large spilled gallstone, which on computed tomography scan suggested a possible abdominal wall tumor. Spilled stones may cause subsequent problems and should be removed whenever possible, but should not be an indication for conversion to open operation.