This extensive and yet easy-to-read book covers technical aspects of the management of difficult acute cholecystitis. It discusses diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and strategies for avoiding and managing complications based on both evidence-based data and the experiences of the editor and the international contributors. Further, it analyses the latest guidelines to find the best clinical applications. Each chapter describes the current diagnostic and management strategies, focusing on a possible risk stratification by scores proposed in literature.

Lastly, the book describes the relevant technical considerations and tips and tricks, explaining them in full. Illustrated throughout and including line graphs depicting fundamental anatomic and technical principles, making it easy-to understand, it is a useful toolkit for all residents, fellows and general surgeons needing a guide to the treatment of difficult acute cholecystits. 

1 Anatomy of the gallbladder and biliary tract

2 Pathophysiology and diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis
3 Pathophysiology and diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis
4 Guidelines for the management of acute cholecystitis
5 Tokyo Guidelines and their limits
6 Preoperative evaluation and management of acute cholecystitis: Optimal timing and surgical approach
7 Preoperative evaluation and decision making. When to operate and by which approach: Tube cholecystostomy
8 Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Intra-operative evaluation
9 Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Timing for conversion
10 Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy: When to convert to open technique
11 When it's safe to continue laparoscopically
12 Open partial or subtotal cholecystectomy: techniques and indications
13 Laparoscopic sub total cholecystectomy and other laparoscopic techniques
14 Indocyanine green role in acute cholecystitis
15 How to avoid CBD injuries and their classification
16 Iatrogenic lesions of the biliary tree: the role of a multidisciplinary approach