Surgical Management of Gallstone Ileus: Laparoscopic and Open Approaches in a Single-Center Experience

Background and Objectives: Gallstone ileus (GI) is a rare mechanical intestinal obstruction resulting from gallstone impaction through a bilioenteric fistula, accounting for 1-4% of mechanical intestinal obstructions. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical approach, surgical management, and outcomes in a cohort of surgically treated GI patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of 12 patients diagnosed with GI and treated surgically between January 2018 and December 2024 was conducted. Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical approach, and postoperative outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used due to small sample size. Results: All patients presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, with delayed admission (mean 3.83 ± 2.08 days). Rigler's triad was identified on CT in 91.7% of cases. The distal ileum (66.7%) was the most common site of obstruction, with a mean stone size of 3.19 ± 0.6 cm. Surgical management included enterolithotomy alone (66.7%, n = 8) and one-stage procedures (33.3%, n = 4). Laparoscopic approaches were employed successfully in 41.7% of cases (n = 5) without the need for conversion. Postoperative complications occurred in 41.7% of patients, with 8.3% mortality (n = 1). One recurrence was observed during a median (IQR) follow-up period of 33.00 (7.00-66.00) months. Conclusions: GI management should be individualized based on patient risk factors. In our cohort, enterolithotomy alone was the most common approach for high-risk elderly patients, while one-stage procedures were performed in stable patients with residual gallstones. Laparoscopic approaches were utilized in selected hemodynamically stable patients with appropriate surgical expertise. Our experience suggests that minimally invasive techniques can be successfully achieved in this traditionally challenging condition with careful patient selection.