Gallstone Obstruction of the Sigmoid Colon

Abstract

About 3 per cent of all cases of acute small-bowel obstruction are caused by gallstones. However, gallstone obstruction of the colon is quite rare. If such colonic obstruction does occur, it is usually in the sigmoid colon.

It has been reported that gallstones which cause intestinal obstruction usually are 2.5 cm. in diameter or larger and reach the intestine through internal biliary fistulas. The authors report a case of gallstone obstruction of a normal sigmoid colon in which the gallstone entered the colon through a cholecystocolonic fistula.