[Gallstone ileus as a cause of acute abdomen. Importance of early diagnosis for surgical treatment]. / El íleo biliar como causa de abdomen agudo. Importancia del diagnóstico precoz para el tratamiento quirúrgico.

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon type of mechanical intestinal obstruction caused by an intraluminal gallstone, and preoperative diagnosis is difficult in the Emergency department. This study is a retrospective analysis of the clinical presentation of 5 patients with gallstone ileus treated between 2000-2010. Clinical features, diagnostic testing, and surgical treatment were analyzed. Five patients were included: 2 cases showed bowel obstruction; 2 patients presented a recurrent gallstone ileus with prior surgical intervention; and one patient presented acute peritonitis due to perforation of an ileal diverticula. In all cases CT confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. In our experience, gallstone ileus may present with clinical features other than intestinal obstruction. In suspicious cases CT may be useful to decrease diagnostic delay, which is associated with more complications.

[Enterolithotomy and early cholecystectomy, an application of damage control surgery for patients with gallstone ileus]. / Enterolitotomía más colecistectomía precoz, una aplicación de cirugía de control de daños para pacientes con íleo biliar.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent gallstone ileus is an uncommon mechanical intestinal obstruction secondary to occlusion of the intestine by an intraluminal biliary calculus. CLINICAL CASE: Female, 75 years old, ischaemic heart disease (stent), arrived in our department complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Computed tomography showed gallstone ileus. The patient underwent an enterotomy with gallstone removal. Three months later, the patient came back with the same clinical symptoms and signs. A new computed tomography highlighted a gallstone ileus again. Enterolithotomy and gallstone removal, cholecystectomy and closure of cholecystoduodenal fistula were performed. The patient had a prolonged hospital stay due to the development of congestive heart failure. Case 2. Male, 71 years old, ischaemic heart disease and aortocoronary bypass, seen in our department complaining of vomiting. Computed tomography showed aerobilia and gallstone ileus. The patient underwent an urgent enterolithotomy. Seven months later, the patient came back with the same clinical symptoms and signs. Computed tomography showed a new gallstone ileus. An enterotomy and gallstone removal, cholecystectomy and closure of cholecystoduodenal fistula were performed. The patient died due to multi-organ failure in post-surgery period. CONCLUSION: In the elderly patients with concomitant medical illnesses with the risk of a second laparotomy, it is justifiable to reconsider the definitive repair in the treatment of gallstone ileus. The enterolithotomy in acute phase followed by early cholecystectomy (4-8 weeks) may be a safe method for eliminating, not only the possibility of recurrent gallstone ileus, and probably the need for a second laparotomy, but also the exceptional possibility of developing a gallbladder carcinoma.

Frequency of abnormal esophageal acid exposure in patients eligible for bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both high-prevalence diseases in developed nations. Obesity has been identified as an important risk factor in the development of GERD. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of abnormal esophageal acid exposure in patients candidate for bariatric surgery and its relationship with any clinical and endoscopic findings before surgery. METHODS: Data collected from a group of 88 patients awaiting bariatric surgery included a series of demographic variables and symptoms typical of GERD. The tests patients underwent included manometry, pH monitoring, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on the variables related to the onset of reflux. RESULTS: Esophageal pH monitoring tests were positive in 65% of the patients. Manometries showed lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia in 46%, while 20% returned abnormal upper endoscopy results. Out of the 45% of patients who were asymptomatic or returned normal endoscopies, half returned positive esophageal pH tests. In turn, among the 55% of patients who had symptoms or an abnormal upper endoscopy, three quarters had pH tests that diagnosed reflux. pH tests were also positive in 80% of symptomatic patients and 100% of patients with esophagitis (P<.042). No statistically significant relationship was found between body mass index, sex, age, manometry, or hiatus hernia and the positive pH monitoring. CONCLUSION: Frequency of abnormal esophageal acid exposure among obese patients is high. There is a relationship between the presence of symptoms and reflux. But the absence of symptoms does not rule out the presence of abnormal esophageal function tests.