[Bouveret syndrome: 5 cases]

Five cases of duodenal obstruction due to biliary stones (Bouveret's syndrome) are reported. Presenting symptoms were gastric outlet obstruction, upper gastrointestinal bleeding or jaundice. Diagnosis was achieved either by endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal X-Ray series or at the operating room. Surgical procedures to remove obstruction were needed in every case: cholecystectomy was simultaneously performed on two occasions. After reviewing the literature, previous biliary symptoms were found in 65% of the cases; diagnosis was achieved preoperatively in 85%, mainly by endoscopy procedures; simultaneous cholecystectomy was carried out in 56% of cases; postoperative mortality was 24%, rising when simultaneous cholecystectomy was performed.