The ‘Laterally Inverted’ Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Unlearning the Learning Curve Helps, but Old Habits Die Hard
PD11-PD13
Correspondence
Dr. Sukumar Santosh Kumar,
Professor, Department of Surgery, Base Hospital and ACMS, Delhi Cantt-110010, New Delhi, India.
E-mail: sskumar9169@gmail.com
Situs Inversus is a rare condition (1 in 5000-10000 hospital admissions) and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) for symptomatic gallstones in such patients is even rarer. Only about 70 cases have been reported so far. This otherwise commonly performed surgery takes on a whole new avatar due to the unique challenges of disorientation induced by the ‘mirror image’ positioning of the viscera and its attendant ergonomic difficulties. The instincts and habits acquired by a laparoscopic surgeon after climbing the learning curve, though definitely an advantage in this situation, can serve as a handicap as well. Our experience of managing such a case is presented in this article.