[Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy on a clam shell fragment lodged in the ileocecal valve]

Herein we describe what may be the first case of ESWL used in the treatment of mechanical ileus caused by a fragment of clam shell lodged in the terminal ileum. The 66-year-old patient was referred by the emergency department with symptoms and signs of upper GI tract obstruction. ESWL with the modified Dornier HM3 was performed under neuroleptoanalgesia with the patient in the prone decubitus position. 1700 shock waves at 20 Kv were used to achieve fragmentation and restore intestinal transit, thus avoiding surgery.