Gallstone obstruction of the intestine: an analysis of ten patients and a review of the literature.

Ten patients with gallstone ileus were studied to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in four patients. All patients underwent laparotomy. In five patients, stones were removed by enterotomy and in three patients the obstruction was relieved by manual propulsion of the stones. One-stage small-bowel resection, cholecystectomy, and biliary enteric fistula repair were performed in two patients. Four patients had uneventful recovery. One episode of recurrent gallstone ileus was encountered. Three patients died of septic complications. It is concluded from the study and from a review of the literature that treatment should be aimed at relieving the obstruction, without performing additional surgical procedures, such as cholecystectomy and fistula repair. Secondary biliary surgery is to be performed only in patients with recurrent biliary disease.