Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2025
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Followed by Primary Suture Using a Modified Bile Duct Incision
Published on: May 2, 2025
Different Approaches to the Management of Cholecystoenteric Fistula
Pius Ehiremen Ojemolon1, Robert Kwei-Nsoro1, Mahaim Haque1
1Department of Medicine, John H Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL.
Insights
Cholecystoenteric fistulas, rare complications of gallstone disease, connect the gallbladder to the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis can be challenging, often requiring surgery, and management varies by case.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Cholecystoenteric fistula is an abnormal connection between the gallbladder and gastrointestinal tract.
- It is a rare complication primarily associated with gallstone disease, often seen in elderly patients with comorbidities.
Observation:
- These fistulae present with diverse clinical manifestations, complicating diagnosis.
- Diagnosis frequently requires extensive investigation and is sometimes incidental during surgery.
Findings:
- Presents 3 cases of cholecystoenteric fistula with varied etiologies and clinical presentations.
- Each case demonstrated unique management strategies, underscoring the condition's heterogeneity.
Implications:
- Highlights the diagnostic challenges and varied presentations of cholecystoenteric fistulas.
- Emphasizes the need for individualized management approaches for this rare surgical complication.
Abstract:
A cholecystoenteric fistula is an anomalous communicating tract between the gallbladder and any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a rare complication of gallstone disease and typically affects elderly patients with multiple medical comorbidities. These fistulae can present in a variety of ways, and the diagnosis is often made only after extensive workup. Despite notable advances in imaging techniques in the last half-century, a considerable number of cases are still discovered incidentally during open or laparoscopic surgery. We present a series of 3 cases, each with different etiologies and presentations, but all of whom were found to have a cholecystoenteric fistula. Each case was managed differently, highlighting the diversity of this intriguing condition.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:25Peptic Ulcer Disease V: Surgical Management and Nursing Care
Surgical Interventions for Peptic Ulcer Disease
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...