Gall stone ileus: a rare cause of small bowel obstruction

ABSTRACT

Gallstone ileus is a rare disease and accounts for 1-4% of all cases of mechanical intestinal obstruction. It usually occurs in the elderly with a female predominance and may result in a high mortality rate. Its diagnosis is difficult and early diagnosis could reduce the mortality. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. We present a case report of a 55 year old lady diagnosed as having gall stone ileus and was treated with emergent laparotomy and enterolithotomy with fistula repair at a later stage