Dextrocholedocholithiasis: Calculous obstruction complicating double ductus choledochus in an adult

Double ductus choledochus is a rare anomaly of the extrahepatic biliary tree in which the common bile duct is represented by two independent hepatic ducts. Patients with this abnormality may have unimpeded biliary drainage and remain symptom free, yet various forms of double ductus choledochus are occasionally encountered in patients undergoing operation for symptomatic cholelithiasis. We describe a patient in whom doubled biliary ducts were identified on exploration for cholecystectomy along with calculous obstruction of the right-sided duct (ductus choledochus dextri). This case illustrates the potential for significant injury to the biliary tree when double ductus choledochus is present. In addition to a means by which to manage this problem at the time of operation, a review of the literature, as well as a description of this rare embryologic abnormality, is presented.