Laparoscopic cholecystecomy in a 16-day-old infant with chronic cholelithiasis.

A 16-day-old girl with demonstrated evidence of cholelithiasis was treated initially conservatively on the assumption that the gallstone would resolve spontaneously. However, when repeat ultrasound scan showed a large gallstone and intrahepatic ductal dilatation indicative of antenatal common duct obstruction, the infant underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with an intraoperative cholangiogram. The patient did well postoperatively and was on regular feeding by postoperative day 1. An intraoperative cholangiogram showed an impacted stone in the infidibulum of the gallbladder. Gross and histopathologic findings indicated chronic cholecystitis. Based on an extensive review of the literature, this case appears to be the first reported incidence of chronic cholecystitis in a neonate and that of the youngest patient to undergo a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram.