Overview on Gallstone Ileus: An Update on Management

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of gallstone disease and is seen in less than 5% of cases of intestinal obstruction, The diagnosis is confirmed by a combination of clinical presentation and imaging modalities in the form of abdominal x-ray and computerized tomography which will show gas in the biliary system and dilated bowel. The management of gallstone ileus is by surgical therapy, which can be divided into an enterotomy alone or an enterotomy followed by excision of the cholecystic-enteric fistula and a cholecystectomy. As the choice of surgical therapy is tailor made to the patient, we have conducted this review article to look at the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. We have also looked at the various types of surgical therapy that is done for gallstone ileus.