A Case Report of a Double-Lumen Cystic Duct During Cholecystectomy and a Review of the Biliary Tree Variations.

Cholecystectomy is one of the most common elective abdominal surgeries worldwide. Although the procedure is uncomplicated in most cases, variations in the anatomy of the biliary tree can be encountered. An 18-year-old female, 30 days postpartum, presents with abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Murphy's sign was negative. An upper abdominal ultrasound was performed, reporting a 6.3 x 2.1 cm gallbladder with 0.6 cm wall thickening, a well-defined hyperechoic image casting an acoustic shadow, and a 0.5 cm common bile duct. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, during which a "critical view of safety" was successfully achieved; however, upon transecting the cystic duct, a double-lumen duct was observed. Knowledge of anatomical variations of the biliary tract, whether common or rare, is vital for safety during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.