Autocholecystectomy

/ˌɔːtəkɒlɪsɪˈstɛktəmi/ noun

Definition

A rare surgical condition where the gallbladder removes itself from the body, or a procedure where a patient's own body eliminates the gallbladder.

Etymology

From auto- (self) + cholecyst (gallbladder, from Greek chole, bile, + kystis, bladder) + -ectomy (removal/cutting out). A medical term for gallbladder removal accomplished by the body itself.

Kelly Says

This is incredibly rare—a gallbladder basically eroding through the intestinal wall and leaving the body on its own—but it's documented, making for one of medicine's wildest case studies!

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