Cholecystocolonic Fistula Presenting With Gallstone Ileus: A Report of a Rare Surgical Case

Cholecystocolonic fistula (CCF) is a rare entity resulting from chronic gallstone disease. Here we describe a 60-year-old female who presented with abdominal distension, colicky pain, and constipation for a period of five days. Imaging studies revealed pneumobilia and small bowel obstruction. Exploration via laparotomy revealed a 3.5 cm gallstone lodged in the terminal end of the ileum and a fistulous tract from the gallbladder to the hepatic flexure of the colonic bowel. Surgical intervention consisted of enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy, and colonic resection with primary anastomosis. Fortunately, postoperative recovery was smooth and uneventful. Preoperative diagnostic challenges, the salience of imaging, and surgical intervention are emphasized in this case. As a brief background review, we searched the literature to outline the spectrum of the disease and the advancing methods to overcome CCF.