Gallstone ileus four months after cholecystectomy

Gallstone ileus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction caused by a large gallstone that most frequently obstructs the terminal ileum. Usually, the gallstone enters the intestinal tract via a cholecystoenteric fistula. A 61-year old woman presented to the emergency department with clinical signs of intestinal occlusion four months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The imaging techniques revealed the obstruction of the terminal ileum caused by a 24-mm calculus complicated with intra-abdominal abscesses. The patient completely recovered after urgent surgery. These conditions are very rare and they might have severe complications. Therefore, the focus of the present study, together with a literature review, is on the management of gallstone ileus.