Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gallstone bowel blockage 35 years after gallbladder removal hidden
By Gordon CI et al.·2024·Universidad Internacional del Ecuador·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: An unusual case of gallstone ileus 35 years post-cholecystectomy masked by an incisional hernia.
Plain-English summary
An 85-year-old man who had his gallbladder removed 35 years ago came to the emergency room because he had a blockage in his intestines. Doctors initially thought the blockage was caused by a hernia, but during surgery, they discovered that a gallstone had caused the obstruction instead. This situation is quite rare since gallstones usually don't cause problems in people who have had their gallbladders taken out so long ago. After the surgery to remove the blockage, the man made a full recovery.
Abstract
Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of mechanical bowel obstruction in patients with cholecystitis and gallstones who develop a fistula over time. In the post-cholecystectomy patient, the presence of gallstone ileus is extremely rare; these patients have different pathophysiological pathways, such as a spilled gallstone that subsequently erodes into the bowel, subtotal cholecystectomies, and diverticulae that can hold a gallstone for hidden several years. In these patients, the clinical presentations are unique because of their rarity and because the gallbladder had been previously removed. A high index of suspicion by the medical team is needed for diagnosis. We present the case of an 85-year-old male who had a history of cholecystectomy 35 years ago. He presented to the emergency department with intestinal obstruction. Since he had a hernia, it was thought to be the cause of the obstruction; however, during surgery, we were surprised to find a gallstone ileus. After surgery, he fully recovered.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/38764729