Stones are sometimes spilled at the time of cholecystectomy. Retrieval
may be difficult, especially during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Lit
tle is known about the natural history of missed stones which are left
behind in the peritoneal cavity. We present a case in which a patient
developed an intraabdominal abscess around such a stone. The abscess
recurred after drainage and removal of the stone was needed for resolu
tion. This case suggests that care should be taken to avoid stone spil
lage, and that stones which are spilled into the abdomen should be ret
rieved.