Mirizzi Syndrome: an unexpected problem of cholelithiasis. Our experience with 27 cases

Michael Safioleas¹ , Michael Stamatakos¹ , Panagiotis Safioleas¹ , Anastasios Smyrnis¹ , Constantinos Revenas² and Constantinos Safioleas¹

¹2nd Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece

²Department of Radiology, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece

author email corresponding author email

International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008, 5:12doi:10.1186/1477-7800-5-12


Published:	21 May 2008

Abstract

Purpose

Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of long standing cholelithiasis. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively estimate the diagnostic and treatment methods applied in patients with Mirizzi syndrome.

Materials and methods

Our experience with 27 cases with Mirizzi syndrome is presented. They were diagnosed either by imaging techniques, or during surgical operation. All of the patients were managed surgically.

Results

8 patients were diagnosed preoperatively and the rest intraoperatively. Morbidity rate after surgery was 18,5%, and mortality rate was zero. The patients presented free of symptoms three months after surgery during the follow-up.

Conclusion

Mirizzi syndrome is rarely diagnosed preoperatively and US proved inadequate for this purpose. Surgery is the only therapy and usually provides additionally definitive diagnosis.