AUTHOR=Huang Shi-fei , Han Ye-hong , Chen Jie , Zhang Jun , Huang Hai 

TITLE=Surgical Management of Cholecystoenteric Fistula in Patients With and Without Gallstone Ileus: An Experience of 29 Cases

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Surgery

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2022.950292

DOI=10.3389/fsurg.2022.950292

ISSN=2296-875X

ABSTRACT=Background:
Cholecystoenteric fistula (CEF) is an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis. Here, we report our experience on diagnostic methods and surgical management of CEF patients with and without gallstone ileus (GI).
Methods:
This is a retrospective cases series over a 11-year period (2011-2022). Data analyzed included preoperative characteristics, ultrasound, imaging features, operation findings and postoperative course.
Results:
A total of 29 patients diagnosed with CEF were enrolled, 51.7% (15/29) of whom were female, with a median age of 66 years (range: 35-96 years). With regards to subtype distribution, eighteen patients had cholecystoduodenal fistula (CDF), six had cholecystoconlonic fistula (CCF), three exhibited cholecystogastric fistula (CGF), one CDF combination with CCF and one CDF combination with type I Mirizzi syndrome. Twelve patients presented with gallstone ileus, and received one stage procedure or simple Enterolithotomy. The median operation time and blood loss of 157 min (range: 65-360 min) and 40 ml (range: 10-450 ml), respectively. Surgical complications, evidenced by fistula recurrence, were recorded in three patients (3/22; 13.6%), while four (4/29; 13.8%) and one patient (1/29; 3.4%) presented with wound infection and residual stone in common bile duct, respectively. No deaths were reported in our study.
Conclusion:
The combination of ultrasound (US), imageology detection and gastroscopy/colonoscopy enhances diagnostic accuracy of CEF. At present, no consensus has been reached regarding efficacious treatment therapies for CEF patients. For a CEF patient with GI, one stage procedure should be selected prudently, while simple Enterolithotomy would be a mainstream choice for relieving bowel obstruction.