Gallstone ileus as a cause of total intestinal obstruction, case report and surgical management carried out step by step through open surgery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55204/trc.v6i2.e692Keywords:
Ileus, gallstone, intestinal obstruction, acute abdomenAbstract
Introduction: Although gallstone ileus is a rare cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction, it represents a significant clinical challenge, especially in older patients who often have other relevant comorbidities. This condition develops when a gallstone passes through a bilioenteric fistula and becomes trapped in the ileum. Objective: To describe the case of an adult patient with intestinal obstruction secondary to gallstone ileus, treated in a second level hospital in Quito, Ecuador, a region with a high prevalence of gallstone disease. Case presentation: Female patient who presented with abdominal pain and distension, accompanied by signs of intestinal obstruction on CT. She was diagnosed with acute obstructive abdomen and, during surgery, the obstruction was found to be caused by an intraluminal gallstone located in the ileum. Conclusions: In many cases, this pathology is confirmed by radiological studies or during surgery. Surgical treatment, which may include enterolithotomy and cholecystectomy, is crucial to resolve the obstruction and treat bilioenteric fistula. However, even if cholecystectomy is performed in the initial procedure, recurrence of obstruction is not always prevented due to the possibility of undetected stones. The management strategy should be individualized according to the patient's characteristics, general health status, and associated surgical risk.Downloads
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Copyright (c) 2026 José Vicente Fonseca Barragán, Steeven David Paredes Vinueza, Alison Nicole Vásquez Vélez, Hugo Francisco Rosales Aguilar, Víctor Ernesto Soliz Calle, Patricia Jordana Valdivieso Estupiñán, Carlos Steewarth Gudiño Justicia
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