Enterolithotomy for Gallstone Ileus: An Uncommon Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis which represent 1-3% of the causes of intestinal obstruction in the general population and is more commonly seen in females. Gallstone ileus does not present with unique symptoms, making the diagnosis difficult. Symptoms are often non-specific with intermittent intestinal obstruction. The management is surgical, but there is no consensus as to which of the different surgical techniques is the procedure of choice. We report an interesting case of a 78-year-old male brought to casualty with abdominal pain following a history of fall. Managed as a case of blunt trauma abdomen initially. Surprisingly investigations showed features of small bowel obstruction, a hyperdense structure in the distal jejunum with dilated proximal jejunal loops suggestive of gallstone ileus. The patient had undergone exploratory laparotomy with enterotomy and removal of gallstones without any postoperative complications. Intraoperatively cholecystoduodenal fistula was identified and the patient was electively planned for cholecystectomy and fistula repair.