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Gallstone ileus is a rare yet significant cause of mechanical bowel obstruction, particularly in elderly patients. This condition arises when gallstones migrate into the gastrointestinal tract through a cholecystoenteric fistula, often due to chronic inflammation. Despite medical advancements, gallstone ileus remains associated with high morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis and nonspecific symptoms. The clinical presentation typically includes intermittent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation, which can obscure the diagnosis. Advanced imaging techniques, especially computed tomography (CT), are crucial for identifying key diagnostic features such as pneumobilia, ectopic gallstones, and signs of bowel obstruction. Gallstone ileus should be considered in any case of small bowel obstruction, even if CT imaging is inconclusive, as gallstones can be radiolucent. Indirect clues like pneumobilia and dilated small bowel loops can lead to the diagnosis.Effective management of gallstone ileus requires prompt surgical intervention to remove the obstructing gallstone and restore bowel patency. The primary surgical procedure is enterolithotomy, although additional procedures such as cholecystectomy and fistula repair may be necessary depending on the patient's condition and intraoperative findings. The choice of surgical approach should be individualized, considering the patient's overall health and the specific characteristics of the obstruction. Early recognition and timely surgical management are essential to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Bouveret's syndrome, a rare complication of gallstone disease, poses a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly in elderly individuals with multiple comorbidities. The mortality rate ranges from 12-30%, emphasizing the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis. Nonspecific symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, contribute to delayed diagnosis. Healthcare professionals, especially those involved in gastroenterology and surgery, require comprehensive education on Bouveret's syndrome. Training should emphasize the diverse diagnostic modalities, including the use of imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI. Awareness of the syndrome's rarity and collaboration among specialists from various fields are crucial for effective management. Additionally, educational programs should underscore the need for individualized treatment plans, considering patient parameters such as age, comorbidities, and the inflammatory state of surrounding tissues. While endoscopic procedures exhibit lower success rates, they are often preferred due to the high risk associated with open surgical procedures in elderly patients. Continuous medical education should also highlight the potential link between diabetes and Bouveret's syndrome, emphasizing the importance of recognizing risk factors and ensuring timely medical intervention. In conclusion, enhancing the knowledge base of healthcare professionals through targeted education is essential for improving the diagnosis and management of Bouveret's syndrome, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallstone ileus, a rare complication of cholelithiasis, presents significant morbidity and mortality challenges, with no established consensus on optimal management. This study aimed to highlight the complexities surrounding its occurrence and emphasize the need for tailored therapeutic strategies. An 88-year-old female, with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with diffuse abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical evaluation revealed signs of small-bowel obstruction. Radiological assessments, including Computed Tomography CT) scans, confirmed biliary ileus, showcasing a sizable gallstone causing subacute obstruction. Emergency surgery involving enterolithotomy was performed, successfully addressing the immediate concerns. Postoperative follow-up demonstrated a one-year asymptomatic period, emphasizing the effectiveness of the chosen intervention. Gallstone ileus typically follows acute cholecystitis, leading to gallstone erosion and fistula formation commonly in the duodenum. Diagnosis is challenging because of nonspecific symptoms, necessitating a high index of suspicion. Computed tomography (CT) plays a pivotal role in accurate and rapid diagnoses. This study delves into the intricate details of gallstone ileus presentation, complications, and the debate surrounding optimal surgical management, acknowledging the effectiveness of the two-stage procedure and emerging laparoscopic approaches. This case provides valuable insights into the intricate facets of gallstone ileus and emphasizes the need for individualized treatment strategies. Successful management, as demonstrated in our case, underscores the importance of considering patient-specific factors when choosing between the surgical approaches. This study supports recent reports advocating for laparoscopic interventions, encouraging further exploration of evolving therapeutic modalities for gallstone ileus.

Bouveret syndrome is the rarest variant of gallstone ileus characterized by the passage and impaction of a gallstone through a bilioenteric fistula leading to gastric outlet obstruction. The documented movement of an impacted gallstone in Bouveret syndrome through the gastrointestinal tract has not been previously discussed in the literature. A 64-year-old man presented with acute on chronic epigastric pain, fevers, and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography established a diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome. A trial of endoscopic gallstone extraction was unsuccessful. Laparoscopic gastrotomy and stone removal were later attempted, however, intraoperatively it was noted that the stone had migrated and was now impacted in the jejunum causing a small bowel obstruction. The clinical picture was now that of gallstone ileus. Laparoscopic enterolithotomy was performed successfully. This article discusses the radiological, endoscopic, and intraoperative findings in this rare case of Bouveret syndrome that had evolved into classical gallstone ileus following stone migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rigler's Triad consists by three radiological signs, including intestinal obstruction, pneumobilia, and an aberrant gallstone in the bowel. It is an inconstant triad considered being pathognomonic of gallstone ileus. Gallstone ileus is an exceptional complication of cholelithiasis due to the passage of one or more gallstones from the bile ducts into the lumen of the bowel through a biliodigestive fistula. We report the case of an 83-year-old female patient with a history of ischemic heart disease and an asymptomatic large gallstone. The patient was admitted to the emergency department for bowel obstruction, abdominal pain, and bilious vomiting. A clinical examination found a patient with an alteration in general condition and a distended abdomen with tenderness. An abdominal CT scan revealed Rigler's triad, allowing the diagnosis of gallstone ileus. A midline exploratory laparotomy was performed to find a giant gallstone blocked in the last ileum loop. A simple enterolithotomy was performed, allowing the extraction of giant lithiasis from an 8-cm major axis. The postoperative evolution was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 4 days after surgical treatment.

Gallstone disease is a common burden that affect worldwide that carry broad spectrum of its complications and severities. Gallstone ileus (GSI) remained the rare complication that arise form gallstone disease that mainly affected the elderly population. The mainstay of treatment for GSI is to relieve the small bowel obstruction by extraction of the impacted gallstone. Surgical options for GSI remained the long-standing arguments involve single-staged procedure (enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy and fistula repair) or twostaged procedure (enterolithotomy alone, and cholecystectomy with fistula repair later). We reported a case of a 76-year-old male who presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction and computed tomography (CT) of abdomen confirmed the presence of calcified lesion at ileum with pneumobilia which was successfully managed with two-staged procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bouveret's syndrome, a rare complication of gallstone disease, poses a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly in elderly individuals with multiple comorbidities. The mortality rate ranges from 12-30%, emphasizing the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis. Nonspecific symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, contribute to delayed diagnosis. Healthcare professionals, especially those involved in gastroenterology and surgery, require comprehensive education on Bouveret's syndrome. Training should emphasize the diverse diagnostic modalities, including the use of imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI. Awareness of the syndrome's rarity and collaboration among specialists from various fields are crucial for effective management. Additionally, educational programs should underscore the need for individualized treatment plans, considering patient parameters such as age, comorbidities, and the inflammatory state of surrounding tissues. While endoscopic procedures exhibit lower success rates, they are often preferred due to the high risk associated with open surgical procedures in elderly patients. Continuous medical education should also highlight the potential link between diabetes and Bouveret's syndrome, emphasizing the importance of recognizing risk factors and ensuring timely medical intervention. In conclusion, enhancing the knowledge base of healthcare professionals through targeted education is essential for improving the diagnosis and management of Bouveret's syndrome, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.

Gallstone ileus is a well-known cause of small bowel obstruction in the radiological literature. In the experience of these authors, gallstone ileus occurs more often in quiz cases for registrars than in the everyday casework of a radiologist. The here presented case of a gallstone ileus provides a good opportunity to summarize cause, clinical presentation, radiological findings, and treatment options for both those studying for the specialist examinations and those whose specialist examinations are long past.

Bouveret syndrome, an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis, typically manifests with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction. Despite its rarity, Bouveret syndrome carries significant morbidity and mortality. This paper presents a case study and explores diagnostic approaches and management options for this challenging condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of mechanical bowel obstruction in patients with cholecystitis and gallstones who develop a fistula over time. In the post-cholecystectomy patient, the presence of gallstone ileus is extremely rare; these patients have different pathophysiological pathways, such as a spilled gallstone that subsequently erodes into the bowel, subtotal cholecystectomies, and diverticulae that can hold a gallstone for hidden several years. In these patients, the clinical presentations are unique because of their rarity and because the gallbladder had been previously removed. A high index of suspicion by the medical team is needed for diagnosis. We present the case of an 85-year-old male who had a history of cholecystectomy 35 years ago. He presented to the emergency department with intestinal obstruction. Since he had a hernia, it was thought to be the cause of the obstruction; however, during surgery, we were surprised to find a gallstone ileus. After surgery, he fully recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gallstone ileus (GI) is a rare complication of cholelithiasis and is one of the most irregular forms of all mechanical bowel obstructions. It is, however, a more common cause of non-strangulating mechanical small bowel obstruction, accounting for 1% to 4% of all patients and up to 25% in the elderly. The diagnosis is often delayed since symptoms may be intermittent, and investigations may fail to identify the cause of the obstruction. As a result, gallstone ileus continues to be associated with relatively high rates of morbidity and mortality. The cornerstone of healing is the removal of the stone that represents obstruction. As is the case with cholelithiasis, women are more frequently affected. Material and Methods: This article aims to review the incidence of gallstone ileus in our country in the literature, addressing the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, radiological findings, and treatment options. A literature search was done on gallstone ileus for 2005-2018. Results: The patients in the study presentation were both genders and older. They all came to INP because of abdominal pain and general nausea. All had CRP elevation present. Leukocytosis was present in only 2/3 of patients. AST was elevated in one patient and ALT in 2. All changes in laboratory parameters indicate the instability of marker changes and, consequently, the unreliability of use alone without other diagnostic methods. A CT scan was performed on all three patients, but one still needed to be uploaded to the system at the time of writing. Conclusions: Ileus due to gallstones is a rare disease. It is an uncommon cause of mechanical small bowel obstruction. It is a rare complication of chronic cholecystitis and occurs when a gallstone passes through a fistula between the gallbladder and small bowel before becoming impacted at the ileocecal valve. The use of radiological imaging is invaluable in the diagnosis of gallstone ileus. These authors recommend a low threshold for investigation. There is evidence for using AXR as a quick first-line investigation; however, CT scanning is a powerful and gold-standard tool to diagnose the condition and guide its management.

Gallstone ileus manifests as intestinal obstruction. It occurs due to the passage of a stone and its subsequent lodging in the lumen of the digestive tract. The diagnosis is confirmed by imaging; the gold standard is abdominal tomography. Management is based on the extraction of the intraluminal calculus in one or more surgical times, depending on the patient's condition. We present the case of a patient with multiple comorbidities who showed a picture of cholangitis complicated by gallstone ileus and successfully treated with enterolithotomy. Surgical management is controversial since the optimal approach for these patients has not been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bouveret syndrome is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction, a consequence of a large impacted gallstone leading to the formation of a bilioenteric fistula. We present a case of a 79-year-old female who presented with a history of persistent nausea and vomiting. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large gallstone impacted in the second part of the duodenum, complicated by a cholecystoduodenal fistula, leading to gastric outlet obstruction. After nasogastric decompression, the patient underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and attempted stone retrieval which was unsuccessful. Consequently, she underwent laparotomy, gastrotomy, and extraction of the stone. This case highlights the pitfalls of managing Bouveret syndrome via an endoscopic or an open surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gallstone ileus is an uncommon etiology of intestinal obstruction, although many cases require surgical repair. There is no consensus regarding the necessity of concomitant cholecystectomy. (CCY) at the time of index surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of gallstone ileus in patients with and without CCY. Methods: Using the ACS NSQIP database from 2005 to 2019, we included patients who underwent surgical management of gallstone ileus (enterolithotomy) with or without CCY. The primary outcomes of interest were surgical site infection (SSI) and 30-day mortality. Additional outcomes of interest included readmissions related to the procedure, length of hospital stay (LOS), return to the operating room, and sepsis. Demographics were evaluated using univariate analysis, whereas outcomes of interest were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 825 cases of gallstone ileus were identified among 118 patients who underwent cholecystectomy. Patient characteristics were similar between the groups. No concomitant cholecystectomy was associated with a longer hospital stay (8 days vs. five days, p

Gallstone ileus, a rare complication of cholelithiasis, is caused by an impaction of gallstones within the gastrointestinal tract leading to mechanical intestinal obstruction. Here in, we describe a case of gallstone ileus in a 62-year-old woman successfully treated with enterolithotomy. The patient was discharged home after an uneventful post-operative period. Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of gallstones and a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, with often delayed presentation and non-specific symptoms. The preferred approach is enterolithotomy. Elective cholecystectomy after the acute episode is controversial.

Background: Cholecystoenteric fistula (CEF) is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. CEF refers to one or more pathological perforations between the gallbladder and the adjacent gastrointestinal tract, first described by Bartholin in 1645. The aim of this review is to examine the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of CEF. Methods: A literature search was conducted according to a set of criteria in PubMed for historical and current peer-reviewed studies regarding CEF. Results: Clinical manifestations of CEF are always latent. Despite modern imaging studies and diagnostic methods, it is still very difficult to definitively diagnose CEF preoperatively. Instead, CEF is often accidentally discovered in the perioperative period or via intraoperative exploration. Conclusions: Without appropriate preoperative preparation, gastrointestinal injury and intraoperative bleeding often occur. CEF often goes unreported, and its diagnosis and treatment are still controversial. Early diagnosis of CEF is essential for effective treatment and improved outcome.

Gallstone ileus is an unusual complication of gallstone disease. However, gallstone ileus is a serious cause of mechanical bowel obstruction. Gallstone ileus affects older adult patients with underlying medical diseases. It occurs when a gallstone passes through a fistula between the gallbladder and small bowel before becoming obstructed at the ileocecal valve. The symptom includes episodic obstruction caused by the stone rolling through the bowel lumen. Gallstone impaction produces abdominal pain and vomiting, which subside as the gallstone becomes disimpacted, only to recur again as the stone lodges in the more distal bowel lumen. The mean symptom duration before the emergency department visit is approximately 5 days, similar to our patient. Computed tomography is widely used to confirm the diagnosis.

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Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of gallstone ileus and improve to recognize gallstone ileus. Methods The clinical data including clinical manifestations, imaging features, and treatment in 12 patients with gallstone ileus admitted to Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results All 12 patients had abdominal pain and distension, nausea and vomiting. Six cases with gallstone ileus were diagnosed preoperatively with 5 cases diagnosed by CT scanning and 1 case by magnetic resonance imaging. All cases, except 1 case non-surgical, had surgical treatment. A one-stage procedure consisting of enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy and fistula closure was performed in six cases with operative time(167.5±23.2) min and postoperative hospital stay (15.5±3.2) d. Five cases underwent simple enterolithotomy with operative time(96.2±31.1) min and postoperative hospital stay (16.25±2.7) d. The operative time in patients with simple enterolithotomy was shorter than that in patient with one-stage procedure(P0.05). One case with non-surgical treatment had spontaneous evacuation of gallstones, and both cholecystectomy and fistula closure were performed one year later. Conclusions Missed diagnosis of gallstone ileus might be present for the atypical symptoms. Abdominal CT examination is helpful for diagnosis of gallstone ileus and operative treatment is the key therapy.

Currently, gallstone ileus is an unusual complication of cholelithiasis (0.3–3.0 %) and a rare cause of mechanical bowel obstruction (0.1–4.0 %). The rarity of the condition makes it impossible to plan the large prospective randomized clinical trials, so the analysis of case reports is significant for decision making in the management of gallstone ileus. We report a case of gallstone ileus in a middle-aged male who had a history of surgery for duodenal ulcer perforation in past. A combination of peptic ulcer disease and cholelithiasis is based on a reduced gastrointestinal hormones secretion. Clinical specialists need to consider information about the greater frequency and asymptomatic clinical course of gallstone disease against a background of duodenal ulcer. Duodenal ulcer scar and bulbar deformity may promote to the cholecystoduodenal fistula formation. In the presence of an acute bowel obstruction symptoms and the absence of gallbladder instrumental examination results, it is possible to recommend the prior gastroduodenoscopy for the pre-operative pneumobilia detection. The optimal surgical approaches for acute gallstone ileus are still controversial.

Bouveret’s syndrome is an unusual clinical presentation of gastric-outlet obstruction and is the most infrequent variant of gallstone ileus with just over 300 cases in the literature. A 73-year-old female presented with innocuous constitutional symptoms and was found to have Mirizzi type Vb, a cholecystoduodenal fistula with obstruction. Esophago-gastroduodenoscopy-attempted dislodgement was unsuccessful. A gastric-jejunal bypass was the only option due to friability of the tissue. On post-op day 5, the patient developed acute abdominal pain and was found to have gallstone ileus. This case emphasizes the importance of early surgical intervention in cases of acute on chronic cholecystitis.

Acute calculus cholecystitis (ACC) is increasing in frequency within an ageing population, in which biliary tract infection, including cholecystitis and cholangitis, is the second most common cause of sepsis, with higher morbidity and mortality rates. Patient's critical conditions, such as septic shock or anaesthesiology contraindication, may be reasons to avoid laparoscopic cholecystectomy—the first-line treatment of ACC—preferring gallbladder drainage. It can aid in patient's stabilization with also the benefit of identifying the causative organism to establish a targeted antibiotic therapy, especially in patients at high risk for antimicrobial resistance such as healthcare-associated infection. Nevertheless, a recent randomized clinical trial showed that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce the rate of major complications compared with percutaneous catheter drainage in critically ill patients too. On the other hand, among the possibilities to control biliary sepsis in non-operative management of ACC, according to recent meta-analysis, endoscopic gallbladder drainage showed better clinical success rate, and it is gaining popularity because of the potential advantage of allowing gallstones clearance to reduce recurrences of ACC. However, complications that may arise, although rare, can worsen an already weak clinical condition, as happened to the high surgical-risk elderly patient taken into account in our case report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Gallstone ileus is a complete or partial mechanical bowel obstruction due to gallstone impaction in the bowel lumen and most commonly occurs after stones migrate through the cholecystoenteric fistula. Case outline. We present a patient with signs of gallstone ileus after stone migration through the cholecystoduodenal fistula into the duodenum with hematemesis as the first symptom. Conservative treatment had been started, to which the patient initially responded well. On the eighth day from the onset of the disease, the condition worsened. Signs of the Rigler triad were identified on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen. Enterolithotomy was successfully performed by the open surgical method. Postoperative recovery was orderly, without any biliary problems. Conclusion. Physical examination, upper endoscopy, and radiological diagnostic procedures are complementary and necessary in monitoring the dynamics of stone movement and deciding on when to perform surgery.

Gallstone ileus is an infrequent cause of intestinal obstruction. It is typically the result of cholecystoduodenal fistula, computed tomography scan is the best modality for the diagnosis. Surgical removal of the gallstone is the pillar of treatment to relieve intestinal obstruction. We report the case of a 77-year-old male with features of a small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed pneumobilia, a cholecystoduodenal fistula, and small bowel obstruction features suspicious for gallstone ileus. The patient had a laparotomy and removal of two gallstones via an enterotomy without postoperative complications.

Teaching Point: Bouveret syndrome can be diagnosed on plain film, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging by demonstrating Rigler’s triad which includes a dilated stomach, pneumobilia, and ectopic gallstone.

Cholecystoduodenal and cholecystocolic fistula (CCF) is a rare condition, occurring in patients with cholelithiasis. Multiple complex fistulas are even rare. This is a case study done to detail such a rare case, very few such cases have been reported in the past studies, with cholecystoduodenal and CCF with gallstone ileus. We present the case of an 80-year-old, female diagnosed with intestinal obstruction. Intraoperatively, the gallbladder (GB) fundus forms a CCF and the body of the GB with the first part of the duodenum forms cholecystoduodenal fistula. Gallstone ileus found impacted in jejunum 35 cm distal to DJ junction. Resection of fistula tracts with primary repair of the transverse colon was done with Graham's patch repair of duodenum and fundus first cholecystectomy. Cholecysto-duodeno-colic fistulas complicated with gallstone ileus are very rare. In the case of gallstone ileus, the surgical treatment is an emergency and the only therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallstone ileus is a rare yet significant cause of mechanical bowel obstruction, particularly in elderly patients. This condition arises when gallstones migrate into the gastrointestinal tract through a cholecystoenteric fistula, often due to chronic inflammation. Despite medical advancements, gallstone ileus remains associated with high morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis and nonspecific symptoms. The clinical presentation typically includes intermittent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation, which can obscure the diagnosis. Advanced imaging techniques, especially computed tomography (CT), are crucial for identifying key diagnostic features such as pneumobilia, ectopic gallstones, and signs of bowel obstruction. Gallstone ileus should be considered in any case of small bowel obstruction, even if CT imaging is inconclusive, as gallstones can be radiolucent. Indirect clues like pneumobilia and dilated small bowel loops can lead to the diagnosis. Effective management of gallstone ileus requires prompt surgical intervention to remove the obstructing gallstone and restore bowel patency. The primary surgical procedure is enterolithotomy, although additional procedures such as cholecystectomy and fistula repair may be necessary depending on the patient's condition and intraoperative findings. The choice of surgical approach should be individualized, considering the patient's overall health and the specific characteristics of the obstruction. Early recognition and timely surgical management are essential to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.)

Bouveret syndrome is one of the complications of gallstone disease possibly fatal, which proposes the presence of a large stone obliterating the lumen of the duodenum or stomach because of the formation of a bilioenteric fistula. This review article, therefore, plans to review the causes, patient characteristics, diagnostic workup, associated conditions, and treatment of Bouveret syndrome. A literature search was also performed through scientific databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed concerning articles related to Bouveret syndrome written by different authors. The terms employed for the search were bilioduodenal fistula, Bouveret syndrome, gastric outlet obstruction, and gallstone ileus. Both case reports and systematic reviews that were written in the English language and published between the years 2000 and 2024 were considered. Finally, the review establishes the relevant concerns surrounding the diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome, focusing on the diagnosing issues. It emphasises the need for some specialities' involvement and focuses on the importance of endoscopic intervention. For patients, endoscopy remains the first line of treatment, while surgery is necessary in cases where conservative methods cannot be used. The article also focuses on new approaches to treating the conditions, such as percutaneous gallbladder stone dissolution. Latterly, further developments in minimally invasive surgery pertain to refining methods, including endoscopic removal and lithotripsy, to improve the survival rate of patients. Further investigation is required, especially regarding the administration schedule in relation to this disorder and goals that can reduce mortality and morbidity, especially in elderly patients with comorbid diseases., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Thatipalli et al.)

BackgroundCholecystoenteric fistula (CEF) is an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis. Here, we report our experience on diagnostic methods and surgical management of CEF patients with and without gallstone ileus (GI).MethodsThis is a retrospective cases series over an 11-year period (2011–2022). Data analyzed included preoperative characteristics, ultrasound, imaging features, operation findings and postoperative course.ResultsA total of 29 patients diagnosed with CEF were enrolled, 51.7% (15/29) of whom were female, with a median age of 66 years (range: 35–96 years). With regards to subtype distribution, seventeen patients had cholecystoduodenal fistula (CDF), six had cholecystoconlonic fistula (CCF), three exhibited cholecystogastric fistula (CGF), one CDF combination with CCF and two CDF combination with type I Mirizzi syndrome. Twelve patients presented with gallstone ileus, and received one stage procedure or simple Enterolithotomy. The median operation time and blood loss of 157 min (range: 65–360 min) and 40 ml (range: 10–450 ml), respectively. Surgical complications, evidenced by fistula recurrence, were recorded in three patients (3/22; 13.6%), while four (4/29; 13.8%) and one patient (1/29; 3.4%) presented with wound infection and residual stone in common bile duct, respectively. No deaths were reported in our study.ConclusionCEF is a rare complication of gallstone disease that is occasionally found during operation. To date, no consensus has been reached regarding efficacious treatment therapies for CEF patients. For a CEF patient with GI, one stage procedure should be selected prudently, while simple Enterolithotomy would be a mainstream choice for relieving bowel obstruction.

Bowel obstruction/ileus is a relatively common occurrence in surgical practice with a predictable clinical presentation and management course. Rarely are these cases found consistent with gallstone etiology. Known as gallstone ileus (GI), this uncommon presentation is found primarily in elderly females (age > 65 years old) with multiple comorbid conditions; usually with coinciding presence of a cholecystoenteric fistula. Surgical management remains controversial due to the rarity of presentation and complexity of related pathological process. We present a case of a 69-year-old female who presented with typical signs/symptoms of bowel obstruction but found to have sigmoid GI on computed tomography imaging evaluation. A single stage exploratory laparotomy with simple enterolithotomy was performed with a positive outcome and uncomplicated postoperative recovery. The primary goal in reporting this case is to continue emphasizing the efficacy of a single stage simple enterolithotomy as the most ideal surgical management of this rare condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching Point: Bouveret syndrome can be diagnosed on plain film, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging by demonstrating Rigler's triad which includes a dilated stomach, pneumobilia, and ectopic gallstone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholecystogastric fistulas are a rare but life-threatening complication of cholelithiasis. This medical condition has been explained in detail in several cases in the medical literature. However, there is still conflicting debate on how well to effectively manage patients with such a complex medical condition. We present a 70-year-old Caucasian female with complaints of intermittent dull non-radiating abdominal pain. Her pain started abruptly after breakfast. Patient took some acetaminophen which alleviated her symptom. Several days later, pains return but at this time it was associated with constipation. Patient’s primary care physician (PCP) suspected peptic ulcer disease, which was quickly ruled out following negative result of Helicobacter pylori breath test. The PCP advised patient to visit the emergency department for further investigations to rule out/in possible gallstone ileus causing intestinal obstruction, or Bouveret’s syndrome.

• There are three main surgical options for treatment of gallstone ileus. • Enterolithotomy alone is frequently mentioned in the literature as the best option in most patients. • Individual patient characteristics are crucial when selecting the least morbid surgical option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallstone ileus is a rare but potentially dangerous complication of cholelithiasis and represents about 1 % of the total cases of small bowel obstruction (Balthazar and Schechter, 1978). We report a case of 40 years old female who presented with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction. On further investigation, a diagnosis of gallstone ileus was established. She was managed by laparoscopy-assisted enterolithotomy. Gallstone ileus, a form of mechanical intestinal obstruction, predominantly affects elderly females. Surgical management options includes enterolithotomy alone, two-staged enterolithotomy with delayed cholecystectomy and fistula repair, and single staged enterolithotomy and fistula repair. A laparoscopy-assisted enterolithotomy allows simultaneous direct diagnosis of gallstone ileus and assessment of pericholecystic adhesions along with cholecystoenteral fistula. Laparoscopy-assisted enterolithotomy was chosen for managing gallstone ileus in this patient, omitting cholecystectomy and fistula repair due to dense adhesions. The patient remained symptom free for 6 months post-surgery, suggesting potential spontaneous closure of the cholecystoduodenal fistula, affirming the viability of this less invasive approach. • Gallstone ileus is responsible for approximately 1 to 4 % of all cases of mechanical bowel obstruction. • Among various options available for managing gall stone ileus a laparoscopically assisted procedure allows simultaneous direct diagnosis of gallstone ileus and assessment of the status of adhesions affecting the biliary tract, and it is less invasive than open surgery. • Spontaneous closure of a cholecystoenteral fistula can occur which should allow a surgeon to opt for less morbid and less invasive therapy for gallstone ileus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallstone ileus is a rare condition, accounting for 0.5 % of mechanical small bowel obstructions. It is a misnomer for mechanical intestinal obstruction caused by one or more gallstones impacted within the gastrointestinal tract lumen, which occurs mostly in the elderly and female population. Treated usually by operative enterolithotomy. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging, but CT, which is investigation of choice, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made it easier to diagnose. A 42-year-old female presented to the emergency department with epigastric abdominal pain for 1 week, preceded by 2 months of RUQ pain. CT scan with contrast showed a classical finding of small bowel obstruction and ectopic gallstone. An emergency exploratory laparotomy, enterolithotomy, and cholecystectomy with fistula repair were performed in one surgical stage. Laparoscopic enterolithotomy alone is the most preferred method due to its low incidence of complications but one-stage or two-stage surgeries are also options, but the choice between surgical modalities depends on the patient's status. Gallstone ileus mostly affects older female patients who have a history of gallbladder disease and often have a poor prognosis that becomes worse with age and comorbidities. However, this was a young female patient with no comorbidities, which may affect the prognosis compared to those who are at risk for gallstone ileus. • 42yo female with abdominal pain, diagnosed with gallstone ileus, a rare cause of small bowel obstruction (1-3%). • CT scan showed small bowel obstruction with ectopic gallstone. • Emergency laparotomy for enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy, fistula repair. • Single-stage surgery due to patient's lower risk profile. • Favorable outcome due to one-stage approach in younger patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bouveret's syndrome is an unusual clinical presentation of gastric-outlet obstruction and is the most infrequent variant of gallstone ileus with just over 300 cases in the literature. A 73-year-old female presented with innocuous constitutional symptoms and was found to have Mirizzi type Vb, a cholecystoduodenal fistula with obstruction. Esophago-gastroduodenoscopy-attempted dislodgement was unsuccessful. A gastric-jejunal bypass was the only option due to friability of the tissue. On post-op day 5, the patient developed acute abdominal pain and was found to have gallstone ileus. This case emphasizes the importance of early surgical intervention in cases of acute on chronic cholecystitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bouveret syndrome is characterized by gallstone impaction in the upper gastrointestinal tract causing gastric outlet obstruction. In Bouveret syndrome, endoscopic gallstone removal can avert the need for surgery. However, in cases in which endoscopic therapy is unlikely to succeed, endoscopic attempts delay definitive treatment and compound patient risks. We previously developed a model that predicts endoscopic outcomes from data derived through a systematic review. This tool uses gallstone length, site of impaction, and the number of planned methods of lithotripsy to predict the likelihood of endoscopic success with an accuracy of 81.0%. This study aimed to evaluate our tool performance in an independent, non-training data set and assess endoscopic and surgical outcomes. Methods Systematic searches of the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were performed for articles published between 16 April 2018 and 1 June 2021. The data reported after our previous study were harvested and inputted into the tool to evaluate their ability to accurately predict outcomes when compared with actual outcomes. Results Newly collated data in fields of interest showed no significant statistical differences compared with previous training data sets. Endoscopic therapy was successful in 41.9% of cases. Gallstones of ≤4 cm had a higher chance of successful endoscopic intervention (odds ratio 6.7, 95% confidence interval 1.7–25.8, P  < 0.01). Complications of surgery were reported in 29.5%; there was one fatality reported. Post hoc evaluation of our predictive tool demonstrated an AUROC score of 0.80. Conclusions We have demonstrated in an independent data set that the tool can be used to accurately predict outcomes of endoscopic therapy. Patients in whom endoscopic therapy is most likely to fail should be offered an early surgical opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bac Hoang Nguyen,1 Anh Tuan Le Quan,2 Pham Minh Hai,2 Vu Quang Hung,3 Truc Thanh Thai4 1University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Department of General Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 4University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamCorrespondence: Truc Thanh ThaiUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 217 Hong Bang Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamTel +84-908-381266Email thaithanhtruc@ump.edu.vnBackground: Duodenal obstruction due to a gallstone, also known as Bouveret’s syndrome, is one type of gallstone ileus. This is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. Among gallstone ileus cases, duodenal obstruction is alsorare. Apart from rareness, diagnosis is challenging due to unspecific clinical manifestation. Treatment options have benefits and drawbacks with each as well. Therefore, setting an appropriate option in a certain patient is an important issue.Case Report: An 85-year-old woman presented clinically with a gastric outlet obstruction. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was attempted but endoscopic exploration was limited because of duodenum filled by fluid. Rigler’s triad was detected on abdominal enhanced CT scan: duodenal obstruction, ectopic gallstone within duodenum lumen, pneumobilia. The stone was very large (9 cm long). The diagnosis was duodenal obstruction due to giant gallstone and cholecysto-duodenum fistula. The patient was treated with a radical one-stage procedure: fistulotomy for gallstone removal, cholecystectomy, side-to-side Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy. There were no complications related to surgery during the follow-up period.Conclusion: Surgery plays an important role in management of duodenal obstruction due to a gallstone, especially a large and impacted stone. Radical one-stage surgery is one of the feasible, safe, and efficient procedures in selected patients.Keywords: duodenal obstruction, giant gallstone, gallstone ileus, Bouveret syndrome, Bouveret’s syndrome

Abstract Gallstone ileus is a very rare cause of mechanical bowel obstruction with often‐delayed presentation and nonspecific symptoms. Aerobilia is found in approximately 50% of patients with gallstone ileus.

Gallstones, or cholelithiasis, represent a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by the formation of calculi within the gallbladder. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the complications associated with gallstones, with a focus on their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methodologies, and management strategies. Gallstone-related complications encompass a broad spectrum, including biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, acute pancreatitis, and cholangitis. The pathogenesis of these complications primarily involves biliary obstruction and subsequent infection, leading to significant morbidity and potential mortality. Diagnostic evaluation of gallstone complications employs various imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), each with distinct advantages and limitations. Therapeutic approaches are discussed, ranging from conservative management with pharmacotherapy and bile acid dissolution agents to interventional procedures like extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and percutaneous cholecystostomy. Surgical management, particularly laparoscopic cholecystectomy, remains the gold standard for definitive treatment. Additionally, advancements in endoscopic techniques, including endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and cholangioscopy, are highlighted. This review synthesizes current research findings and clinical guidelines, aiming to enhance the understanding and management of gallstone-related complications among healthcare professionals, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of this common ailment., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Gupta et al.)

Introduction Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction; it is a rare complication of calculus chronic cholecystitis which leads to cholecystoenteric fistula and impaction of gallstone in the gastrointestinal tract leading to mechanical bowel obstruction. Our aim is to report the natural history and management of this rare condition in a teaching hospital. Materials and methods It is a retrospective study, where 10 years of data related to the management of intestinal obstruction secondary to gallstone ileus was collected. The cohort included 10 patients, whose demographic data, clinical findings, and management outcomes were evaluated. Results Majority of patients were female (90%, n=9) with a median of 83 years (range 61-96) although 90% of the population were above 70 years. Presenting complaints were mostly pain and vomiting. The onset of symptoms was between two and seven days. The site of obstruction was mostly the ileum (n=9) with the exception of one case in the sigmoid proximal to a benign stricture, and the size of the stone ranged from 2.5 to 4 cm. Moreover, most of the patients had a previous history of gallstone (n=7) with one post-cholecystectomy status. The laboratory investigations in 50% of patients had deranged liver function test (LFT) and acute kidney injury (AKI), and 60% had raised inflammatory markers, namely, white blood cells (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Intervention as enterolithotomy was the preferred approach (n=8 (two laparoscopic, six open surgery)), and two patients were managed conservatively. The mean postoperative length of stay was 10 days in the open approach and five days in the laparoscopic approach, respectively. Conclusions Elderly female patients are more prone to have gallstone ileus particularly with a past medical history of gallstones, and the preferred management option is enterolithotomy which could be open or laparoscopic depending on the expertise of the surgeon., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Kumar et al.)

Appropriate risk stratification and careful follow‐up are mandated in elderly patients with comorbidities. Herein, we report a case presenting 5 months after the nonoperative management of acute cholecystitis during the height of the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Appropriate risk stratification and careful follow‐up are mandated in elderly patients with comorbidities. Herein, we report a case presenting 5 months after the nonoperative management of acute cholecystitis during the height of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Introduction Gallstone ileus is a very infrequent complication of cholelithiasis in which single or multiple stones pass through an abnormal fistula to the lumen of the intestine leading to a true mechanical obstruction. We are reporting a case of a female who developed intestinal obstruction due to gallstones during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and was managed urgently surgically in a low-settings hospital. Case Presentation An 85-year-old white female with 40 years history of gallstone disease, hypertension, and type-2 diabetes presented to the accidents and emergency unit with upper central crampy abdominal pain for 5 days associated with green color vomiting and absolute constipation. On examination, she was barely stable, dehydrated, had a distended abdomen, and guarding in the epigastric region. Her electrolytes were disturbed and had elevated serum creatinine and blood urea. Imaging studies confirmed gallstone ileus. Management was surgical despite the lack of facilities and equipment including COVID-19 personal protective equipment. Conclusion Despite being an infrequent complication, gallstone ileus might present at the most unexpected time and in the least equipped hospital where the surgeon's suspicion, risk stratification, and improvisation by utilizing what is available are the keys for successful management and saving lives.