Conclusions
Many intraluminal obstructions of the ascending, transverse, and descending colons can be manipulated, exteriorized, accessed, and removed through routine enterotomy approaches. The case series by Machado Amaral Rosa et al (2023) highlights the successful use of pneumatic lithotripsy to facilitate resolution of obstructive enterolithiasis through small enterotomies remote to the site of obstruction. This provides the surgeon with another tool to consider when challenged by similar types of obstructions. It is important to recognize that pneumatic lithotripsy may not be safe or effective for all intraluminal obstructions. Awareness of other strategies or secondary abdominal approaches to address these challenging presentations can help improve the surgeon’s ability to problem solve in these situations and achieve successful resolution of the obstruction.