Mechanical small bowel obstruction secondary to spilled stones.

Gallstone spillage at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common problem that occurs in approximately 5% of procedures. However, even with this high incidence of spillage, there are only a few reports related to the complication of spilled stones. We encountered a patient who developed mechanical small-bowel obstruction secondary to spilled stones following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient required prompt laparotomy because of small bowel obstruction on the 8th postoperative day.