Background: Cholecystoenteric fistulas are a rare complication of gallstone disease and affect 3–5%
of patients with cholelithiasis. Most fistulas are diagnosed intraoperatively.
Materials and Methods: Between January 1997 and June 2003, 12428 patients underwent laparoscopic
cholecystectomy at our department. Cholecystoenteric fistula was diagnosed intraoperatively
and treated in 63 patients: 45 patients (71.4%) had cholecystoduodenal fistulas, while cholecystogastric
and cholecystocolic fistulas were found in 9 patients (14.3%) and 4 patients (6.3%), respectively;
and 5 patients (7.9%) were found to have Mirizzi syndrome type I along with a cholecytoenteric
fistula. The operation could be completed laparoscopically in 59 patients. An endostapler
was used in 47 patients to transect the fistula and in 12 patients the defect in the bowel was repaired
with intracorporeal sutures.
Results: Major morbidity occurred in 3 patients (4.76%). One patient developed a loculated subdiaphragmatic
collection which was treated by ultrasound guided aspiration and antibiotic therapy.
Prolonged biliary drainage occurred in 2 patients. In addition, 7 patients (11.11%) had minor postoperative
complications. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.2 days. All the patients are
asymptomatic at a mean follow-up of 2.4 years.
Conclusion: Cholecystoenteric fistula is a difficult problem usually diagnosed intraoperatively. A
high degree of suspicion at operation is mandatory. A stapled cholecystofistulectomy may be the
procedure of choice since it avoids contamination of the peritoneal cavity. Complete laparoscopic
management of cholecystoenteric fistulas is possible in well-equipped high-volume centers.
