[Gallstone ileus]

Gallstone ileus is a rare condition whose diagnosis may be difficult. From January 1976 to December 1991 4 cases of gallstone ileus were treated in our hospital, representing 1% of all patients admitted with mechanical bowel obstruction during that period. Three patients were treated by enterolithotomy alone to remove the impacted stone. In one patient intestinal resection of the bowel tract was associated followed by end to end anastomosis. One patient died (33%) seven days after surgery for cardiopulmonary failure. In one patient the obstruction resolved with the passage of a stone per rectum. The Authors conclude that enterolithotomy alone should be the standard procedure for gallstone ileus. The repair of cholecyst-enteric fistula should be done later only if there are continuing or recurrent symptoms.