Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis and occurs when a gallstone migrates through a cholecystoenteric fistula and impacts within the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical intervention remains the treatment of choice, which consists of a full-thickness incision of the visceral wall and removal of the impacted gallstone. In this paper we present the treatment approach of 6 cases of gallstone ileus in octogenarians. In our cohort, intestinal obstruction was resolved through an enterotomy or gastrotomy and lithotomy/stone extraction in every patient. No cholecystectomies were undertaken. Despite the fact that gallstone ileus is diagnosed in small percent of patients suffering from gallstone disease, it accounts for a large proportion of intestine obstruction in patients older than 65 years old. Since accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are vital, providers should be familiar with the diagnostic approach and the treatment of this clinical entity.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.14712/18059694.2023.7DOI Listing

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Gallstone ileus, a rare cause of mechanical bowel obstruction, occurs due to the formation of a cholecystenteric fistula allowing gallstones to migrate into the gastrointestinal tract. The condition occurs mostly in elderly patients, particularly women, and carries a significant mortality risk due to delayed diagnosis. This case report discusses a 77-year-old female patient with a history of chronic medical conditions, who self-presented with periumbilical pain, nausea, and reduced bowel movements.

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Gallstone ileus is the mechanical obstruction of the bowel due to gallstone impaction. It forms when a fistula is created between the gallbladder and the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in small bowel obstruction. Its surgical management ranges from enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy, and fistula closure performed together (one-stage) or performed separately (two-stage), while some patients undergo simple enterolithotomy.

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Introduction: Gallstone ileus is an infrequent complication of cholelithiasis with no specific guidelines for its management. This study aims to compare the outcomes of patients with gallstone ileus managed with both enterolithotomy with cholecystectomy (EL-CCY) versus those managed with enterolithotomy (EL) only.

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Article Synopsis
  • Gallstone ileus is a rare cause of bowel obstruction that can be difficult to diagnose due to its vague symptoms and the inconsistent presence of Rigler's triad, which includes pneumobilia, bowel obstruction, and ectopic gallstone.
  • An 80-year-old woman with abdominal pain was diagnosed with gallstone ileus after a CT scan showed pneumobilia and a calcified mass in the small bowel, which matched earlier images of a large gallbladder mass.
  • The case demonstrates the need for healthcare professionals to review past imaging when diagnosing gallstone ileus, highlighting the value of an integrated electronic medical record system to improve diagnostic accuracy.
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