A Case of Gallstone Ileus Treated by Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

The patient was an 85-year-old man who visited our hospital with the chief complaint of appetite loss. Examination revealed signs of severe dehydration and renal dysfunction. Abdominal computed tomography revealed the findings of intestinal obstruction caused by a foreign body and the patient was treated by insertion of a long intestinal tube and fluid replacement. A long-intestinal tube contrast study revealed a lucency of about 5 cm in the small intestine, and the patient was diagnosed as having gallstone ileus, based on a history of gallstones and finding of pneumobilia. Another ileus tube contrast study was performed after three days, and surgery was planned for suspected gallstone impaction. Lithotomy via an incision in the small intestine and partial resection of the small intestine were performed with single-port laparoscopic assistance. Intestinal obstruction caused by a gallstone is relatively rare. However, it carries a high mortality and occurs mostly in elderly people. We report a patient who underwent surgery with single-port laparoscopic assistance for gallstone ileus.