[Gallstone ileus. A report of 104 cases]

An analysis of 104 cases of gallstone ileus in 102 patients is presented. Biliary stones reach the intestinal tract through a biliodigestive fistula in 80-85% and on natural way in 15-20%. Clinical symptoms depend on mechanism of obstruction. It shows 3 forms of course: peritonitical form (20%), remittent form (30%) and typical intestinal obturation (50%). Roentgenological findings show aerobilia in 36%, dystope radiopaque stones in 8% and signs of obstruction in 97% of investigations. The main concern in gallstone ileus should be to relieve the intestinal obstruction and not cholelithiasis. The mortality rate declined during reported time from 40-50% to 25%.