Reversing the Norm: Successful Cholecystectomy in a Patient With Situs Inversus

Situs inversus totalis (SIT), affecting 1 in 6,000 to 10,000 individuals, involves a complete reversal of chest and abdominal organs. About one-third of SIT cases coincide with primary ciliary dyskinesia, leading to diverse symptoms. Surgical challenges arise in procedures like liver transplantation and biliary interventions due to organ abnormalities. This case study explores cholecystitis in a patient with SIT, offering insights crucial for navigating complexities in treating this congenital anomaly. A 34-year-old Arab female, who was a known SIT case, came to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant. After conducting a chest X-ray and an abdominal ultrasound, the patient was diagnosed with cholecystitis. She then underwent a planned cholecystectomy to remove her gallbladder. SIT presents challenges when it comes to procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Nevertheless, the proficiency of skilled surgeons, meticulous preoperative planning, and strict adherence to surgical principles render the execution of LC on patients with SIT both achievable and secure. The successful completion of over 120 cases serves as evidence of the adaptability and precision that can be achieved through surgery for individuals with SIT.