Irrigation removal of retained gallstone following cholecystostomy.

A case is presented in which a patient, treated for acute cholecystitis by cholesystostomy, has a retained gallbladder stone removed by saline irrigation. A brief discussion is given on the indication for cholecystostomy and its use as definitive versus temporizing therapy. In performing cholecystostomy, a catheter of diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of any stone which may be left is recommended.