JOCS
Journal of Comprehensive Surgery

The aim of the Comprehensive Surgery is to publish original research articles of the highest scientific and clinical value at the international level in all surgical fields.

eISSN: 2980-0862
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Original Article
A rare cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction: biliary obstruction due to gallstones: our clinical experience with 12 cases and review of the current literature
Abstract
Aims: Biliary ileus is a rare clinical condition in which gallstones cause mechanical obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract as a result of biliary enteric fistula formation. The aim of this study is to present the clinical characteristics, diagnostic processes and surgical outcomes of cases undergoing surgical treatment due to biliary ileus.
Methods: Twelve patients who underwent surgical treatment for gallstone ileus between February 2019 and June 2025 were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, laboratory values, type of biliary-enteric fistula, obstruction location, surgical methods used, length of hospital stay and mortality data were analyzed.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 77.4±10.3 years, and 66% were female. All patients presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed intestinal obstruction in all cases and enabled preoperative diagnosis in 11 patients. Cholecystoduodenal fistula was the most common fistula type (91.7%). The obstruction was most frequently located in the ileum (41.7%). Enterotomy/enterolithotomy was the most commonly performed surgical procedure (66.6%). The mean hospital stay was 12.1±6.2 days, and one patient (8.3%) died due to postoperative sepsis.
Conclusion: Gallstone ileus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, frequently seen in the elderly and requiring surgical treatment. The findings of our study demonstrate that early diagnosis with contrast-enhanced CT and a surgical approach to relieve the obstruction constitute an effective treatment strategy.

Keywords : Gallstone ileus, intestinal obstruction, enterotomy, cholecystoenteric fistula

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Article available in :
Volume 4, Issue 2, 2026
Page : 23-29
https://doi.org/10.51271/JOCS-0072
Article Information
Received : 05 Ara 2025
Accepted : 03 Oca 2026
Published : 23 May 2026
Corresponding Author :

Ahmet Yavuz: Department of General Surgery, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Yavuz A, Şimşek E, Yılmaz E, Özel HP, Er S. A rare cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction: biliary obstruction due to gallstones: our clinical experience with 12 cases and review of the current literature. J Compr Surg. 2026;4(2):23-29.

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