Subtotal cholecystectomy is considered a contingency procedure during cholecystectomy when the critical view of safety cannot be achieved due to inflammation, posing a risk of bile duct injury if the operation proceeds. Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is the predominant technique employed for this procedure. Subtotal cholecystectomy can be executed using either a fenestrating or reconstituting approach. The most prevalent complications include bile leakage, recurrent stone formation, inflammation of the stump, and a high conversion rate. In this review, we will explore the role of subtotal cholecystectomy in the management of acute calculus cholecystitis, examining the various approaches and the long- and short-term outcomes associated with this procedure.