How do you treat gallstone ileus?

Conclusions. In the treatment approach for cases of gallstone ileus, selection of surgical method should be based on the impaction site. Two-stage surgery is recommended for cases with impaction at the level of the small intestine, while one-stage surgery is recommended for cases with impaction at other sites.

How do I know if I have gallstone ileus?

Gallstone ileus is one of the rarest forms of all mechanical bowel obstructions and is a complication of cholelithiasis. Patients have non-specific symptoms such as intermittent abdominal pain, distension, nausea, vomiting, and constipation as the gallstone travels through the gastrointestinal tract.

Is gallstone ileus an emergency?

Gastrointestinal obstruction due to gallstones is an infrequent emergency condition caused by impaction of stones derived from the gallbladder passing through the cholecysto-intestinal fistula.

What is the best treatment for a paralytic ileus?

How is paralytic ileus treated?

  • Bowel rest. You’ll avoid eating by mouth until your bowel function has returned.
  • Parenteral nutrition. You may need to have your fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients replaced through an IV.
  • Prokinetics.
  • Nasogastric tube.

What causes gallstone ileus?

Gallstone ileus is an important, though infrequent, cause of mechanical bowel obstruction, affecting older adult patients who often have other significant medical conditions. It is caused by impaction of a gallstone in the ileum after being passed through a biliary-enteric fistula.

Is paralytic ileus an emergency?

Ileus is a temporary and often painful lack of movement in the intestines. It is a serious condition because, if left untreated, it can cut off blood supply to the intestines and cause tissue death. This can result in an intestinal tear or infection of the abdominal cavity that can be life threatening.

How common is gallstone ileus?

Epidemiology. Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of gallstone disease, occurring in about 0.5% of cases. It accounts for only about 1-4% of causes of intestinal obstruction, but up to 25% of cases of intestinal obstruction in those over the age of 65.

Can gallstones get stuck in your bowel?

Gallstone ileus is another rare but serious complication of gallstones. It’s where the bowel becomes obstructed by a gallstone. Gallstone ileus is where an abnormal channel, known as a fistula, opens up near the gallbladder. Gallstones are able to travel through the fistula and can block the bowel.

What is Enterolithotomy?

Enterolithotomy, alone, is the extraction of a stone through an enterotomy, without performing a procedure to resolve the fistula or the gallbladder disease.

When gallstone ileus occurs obstruction is most frequently in?

Obstruction occurs most commonly at the near the distal ileum, within 60 cm proximally to the ileocecal valve. Rarely, gallstone ileus may recur if the underlying fistula is not treated.