Gallstone Ileus: Management and Clinical Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of gallstone disease, causing 1%-4% of bowel obstructions, predominantly in elderly individuals.
• Diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and laboratory findings, often necessitating advanced imaging like CT scans.

Observation:

• A case series of five female patients (ages 48-87) with gallstone ileus presented with non-specific small bowel obstruction symptoms.
• Initial diagnostics included abdominal ultrasound and CT scans, with one case requiring further investigation for definitive diagnosis.
• Four patients were successfully treated with minimally invasive procedures: one endoscopic stone removal and three laparoscopic approaches.

Findings:

• Minimally invasive treatments, including endoscopy and laparoscopy, are viable options for managing gallstone ileus.
• Successful outcomes were achieved in four out of five patients, highlighting the efficacy of these approaches.

Implications:

• Individualized management strategies are crucial for gallstone ileus patients, considering the diverse treatment options.
• This study underscores the feasibility and success of minimally invasive interventions in gallstone ileus cases.