SUCCESSFUL LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN A CHILD WITH UPPER TRANSVERSE SCARRING - REPORT OF A CASE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was safely performed for cholelithia sis in a 4-year-old boy who had a long transverse operative scar in th e upper abdomen as a result of intestinal surgery performed during the neonatal period. The adhesions beneath the scar were sharply divided and sometimes coagulated, and additional working ports were subsequent ly placed as the adhesiolysis proceeded. LC was performed in the usual fashion using 5-mm titanium clips, and his postoperative course was u neventful. This case report serves to demonstrate that laparoscopic su rgery is feasible even for pediatric patients who have undergone previ ous major intraabdominal surgery.