Timing of percutaneous cholecystostomy tube removal: systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an effective procedure to treat moderate or severe acute cholecystitis (AC) in high-risk patients. The ideal timing of the drainage removal is argued. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience and perform a systematic review about the ideal timing of a percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) tube removal.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A web-based literature search was performed and studies reporting the length of the catheter maintenance were analyzed. A regression analysis between the timing of tube removal and morbidity, mortality and disease recurrence was performed. Patients who underwent PC as definitive treatment of moderate or severe acute cholecystitis at our institution between 2011 to 2015 were analyzed. Clinical and technical success, morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates were retrospectively retrieved from a perspective database.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The systematic review yield to analyze 50 studies. None of them focused exclusively on outcome measures in relation to PC tube duration. The timing of the drain removal varied from 2 to 193 days. Regression analyses showed no correlation between length of tube maintenance and the considered outcomes. We studied 35 patients. The median age was 78 (range 52-94) and 88.5% had an ASA score ≥3. P-POSSUM estimated morbidity was 68.7% (range 34.3-99.0) and mortality was 15.8% (range 1.9-80.2). Clinical success was 97.1%. Procedure-related morbidity was 34.3%: 2 abscess, 1 bleeding, 1 biloma and 8 tube dislodgment. Biliary leakage was not observed. The observed 30-day overall mortality was 11.4%. The median follow-up was 16 months. Recurrence rate was 12.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

PC is an effective procedure in high-risk patients with moderate or severe AC. At the moment there is no evidence whether the duration of PC tube may affect outcome.

[Treatment of acute cholecystitis in a third-trimester pregnant women]

This case report describes a 35-year-old female with acute cholecystitis 36 weeks into her pregnancy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was assessed not to be possible. An ultrasonic guided percutaneous transhepatic gall bladder drainage was performed resulting in immediate pain relief. The patient was discharged two days later, and the drain sat in place until a caesarian section was per--formed. A post-surgery cholangiography demonstrated stones in the gall bladder but no stones in the common bile duct. An uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out three months after surgery. The case report demonstrates that percutaneous transhepatic gall bladder drainage is a safe procedure to be considered in women with cholecystitis in which cholecystectomy is not possible or assumed to be associated with an unacceptable high risk.

An 86-year-old man with acute abdominal pain

An 86-year-old man presented with severe pain in the upper abdomen along with fever. On physical examination, we found an arterial blood pressure of 84/43 mm Hg, a heart rate of 80 bpm and a temperature of 38.3°C. The abdomen was painful and peristalsis was absent. Empiric antibiotic therapy for sepsis was started with amoxicillin/clavulanate and gentamicin. CT scan of the abdomen revealed an emphysematous cholecystitis. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystostomy was applied. Bile cultures revealed Clostridium perfringens. Emphysematous cholecystitis is a life-threatening form of acute cholecystitis that occurs as a consequence of ischaemic injury to the gallbladder, followed by translocation of gas-forming bacteria (ie, C. perfringens, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Streptococci). The mortality associated with emphysematous cholecystitis is higher than in non-emphysematous cholecystitis (15% vs 4%). Therefore, early diagnosis with radiological imaging is of vital importance.

EFSUMB Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS), Part III - Abdominal Treatment Procedures (Long Version)

The third part of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS) assesses the evidence for ultrasound-guided and assisted interventions in abdominal treatment procedures. Recommendations for clinical practice are presented covering indications, contraindications, and safe and effective performance of the broad variety of these techniques. In particular, drainage of abscesses and fluid collections, interventional tumor ablation techniques, interventional treatment of symptomatic cysts and echinococcosis, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage, percutaneous gastrostomy, urinary bladder drainage, and nephrostomy are addressed (long version).

High rate of common bile duct stones and postoperative abscess following percutaneous cholecystostomy

INTRODUCTION

The short and long-term outcomes in patients managed with percutaneous cholecystostomy (PCY) at a single institution are described.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted for patients treated between February 2000 and November 2012. Patient charts, imaging and biochemical data were reviewed. Patient demographics, presenting clinical features and treatment variables were noted. Outcome variables were length of admission, 30-day mortality, 30-day unplanned readmission, tube dislodgement, abscess formation, subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and surgery, complications after surgery and median overall survival.

RESULTS

PCY was performed for 55 patients for acute cholecystitis where surgical risk was very high. The 30-day readmission rate was 20% (n=11), the 30-day mortality rate was 9% (n=5) and median survival was 59 months (95% confidence interval: 30-88 months). The median follow-up duration was 68 months. Tubes were dislodged in 15 patients (27%) and an abscess occurred after PCY in 5 patients (9%). Subsequent endoscopic common bile duct stone extraction was required in 20 patients (36%). Cholecystectomy was planned in 22 patients and an abscess occurred following the cholecystectomy in 5 (23%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although a PCY is lifesaving, significant morbidity can arise during recovery. This study demonstrates a high rate of choledocholithiasis (44%), tube dislodgement (27%) and postoperative abscess (23%) compared with previous reports.

Early Percutaneous Cholecystostomy in Severe Acute Cholecystitis Reduces the Complication Rate and Duration of Hospital Stay

The optimal timing of percutaneous cholecystostomy for severe acute cholecystitis is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of percutaneous cholecystostomy and its relationship to clinical outcomes in patients with inoperable acute severe cholecystitis.From 2008 to 2010, 209 consecutive patients who were admitted to our hospital due to acute cholecystitis and were treated by percutaneous cholecystostomy were retrospectively reviewed. The time periods from symptom onset to when percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed and when patients were discharged were recorded.In the 209 patients, the median time period between symptom onset and percutaneous cholecystostomy was 23 hours (range, 3-95 hours). The early intervention group (≤24 hours, n = 109) had a significantly lower procedure-related bleeding rate (0.0% vs 5.0%, P = 0.018) and shorter hospital stay (15.8 ± 12.9 vs 21.0 ± 17.5 days) as compared with the late intervention group (>24 hours, n = 100). Delayed percutaneous cholecystostomy was a significant independent factor for a longer hospital stay (odds ratio 3.03, P = 0.001).In inoperable patients with acute severe cholecystitis, early percutaneous cholecystostomy reduced hospital stay and procedure-related bleeding without increasing the mortality rate.

A retrospective analysis of the treatment results of 1557 patients with acute cholecystitis

OBJECTIVE

To analyse outcomes of variable management strategies for the treatment of Acute Cholecystitis in relation to morbidity, mortality and conversion to open surgery.

METHODS

The retrospective study was conducted at Firat University Hospital, Turkey and comprised records of Acute Cholecystitis patients admitted between 2005 and 2011. Patients were divided into subgroups according to admission time as well as American Society of Anaesthesiologists score. The outcomes of early cholecystectomy, interval cholecystectomy, delayed cholecystectomy, 'cooling-off' therapy and percutaneous cholecystostomy were evaluated. Mortality, morbidity, and conversion to open surgery were calculated as measures of success. Data was analysed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Of the 1557 patients, 1052(67.6%) were female. The overall mean age was 42.4±14.7 years. Success rates of 'cooling-off' therapy and percutaneous cholecystostomy were 89.3% and 96.3%, respectively. The conversion rate following delayed cholecystectomy was 30%, which was higher than that of both early and interval cholecystectomy (0.2% and 0%, respectively; p<0.001 each). Mortality and morbidity rates of delayed cholecystectomy (57.1% and 7.1%, respectively) were also significantly higher than early and interval cholecystectomy (5% and 0.1%; 5.6 and 0%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy and interval cholecystectomy shared similar outcomes and rates of efficacy. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was a successful treatment option for high-risk patients, while delayed cholecystostomy correlated to the highest rates of conversion to open surgery, mortality and morbidity.

Thoracic Empyema Caused by Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is an alternative to emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis. Severe complications of this procedure are rare, except for drainage tube-related complications. A case of thoracic empyema, which is a rare complication of PTGBD, is reported; penetration of the pleural cavity seemed to be the cause of the thoracic empyema.

Technique and indications of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the management of cholecystitis in 2014

The gold standard in treatment of acute cholecystitis is cholecystectomy associated with antibiotics. In certain circumstances, percutaneous cholecystostomy is an interventional alternative. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is usually performed under local anesthesia by the radiologist using ultrasonographic or CT guidance. A drain can be inserted either through a trans-hepatic or a trans-peritoneal approach. Complications occur in nearly 10% of cases including hemorrhage, hemobilia, pneumothorax or bile leaks, depending on whether the approach was trans-hepatic or trans-peritoneal. The main indications for percutaneous cholecystostomy are resistance to medical treatment or severely-ill patients in intensive care. Drains should be maintained 3 to 6 weeks before removal. In patients with good general condition (ASA score I-II), secondary cholecystectomy can be recommended to avoid recurrence.

Patient outcomes after treatment with percutaneous cholecystostomy for biliary sepsis

INTRODUCTION

Acute cholecystitis is among the most common general surgical presentations. There is a cohort of patients who develop systemic sepsis and complications of acute cholecystitis. These patients are often elderly and co-morbid. Conservative management with percutaneous cholecystostomy has been shown to be a safe and effective management option in the acute setting. However, there is currently no consensus for the further management of these patients. In particular, there is a paucity of data on readmission rates and subsequent operative or non-operative management.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out of patients treated with a percutaneous cholecystostomy for biliary sepsis over a three-year period in a UK teaching hospital. Outcome measures were subsequent operative or conservative management, conversion rates, operative complications and readmission rates.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients had a percutaneous cholecystostomy for the treatment of acute biliary sepsis. The median follow-up duration was 35 months. Thirteen patients (52%) had operative treatment. In the operative group, 6/13 had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 2/13 had a planned open cholecystectomy, 2/13 had abandoned procedures and 3/13 had a converted procedure. Complications in the operative group included: postoperative mortality (1/13), common bile duct injury requiring drainage and endoscopic stenting (1/13) and one patient required readmission with recurrent pain. In the non-operative group, 5/12 patients were readmitted with biliary sepsis, 5/12 had no readmissions, 1/12 died in the community and 1/12 was readmitted with biliary colic.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a recognised treatment modality for elderly, co-morbid patients with biliary sepsis. Nevertheless, the readmission rate in this group is relatively high at 5/12 (42%). Patients who undergo subsequent operative management have a conversion rate of 3/13 (23%) and a significant complication rate of 2/13 (15%). The further management of patients having undergone percutaneous cholecystostomy requires careful consideration on an individual case basis. The P-POSSUM (Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity) may aid decision making.

Ultrasound-guided double-tract percutaneous cholecystostomy combined with a choledochoscope for performing cholecystolithotomies in high-risk surgical patients

BACKGROUND

Cholecystolithiasis is the most common disease treated by general surgery, with an incidence of about 0.15-0.22%. The most common therapies are open cholecystectomy (OC) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, with a greater understanding of the function of the cholecyst, more and more patients and surgeons are aware that preserving the functional cholecyst is important for young patients, as well as patients who would not tolerate anesthesia associated with either OC or LC. Based on these considerations, we have introduced a notable, minimally invasive treatment for cholecystolithotomy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients with cholecystolithiasis who were unable to tolerate surgery or who insisted on preserving the functional cholecyst. Our particular approach can be simply described as ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy combined with a choledochoscope for performing a cholecystolithotomy under local anesthesia.

RESULTS

Ten patients with cholecystolithiasis were treated via this approach. All except one patient had their gallbladder stones totally removed under local anesthesia, without the aggressive procedures associated with OC or LC. The maximum number of gallbladder stones removed was 16, and the maximum diameter was 13 mm without lithotripsy. After the minimally invasive surgery, the cholecyst contractile functions of all patients were normal, confirmed via ultrasound after a high-fat diet. Complications such as bile duct injury, biliary fistula, and bleeding occurred significantly less often than with OC and LC. The recurrence rates for each of 2 post-operative years were about 11.11% (1/9, excluding a failure case) with uncertainty surrounding recurrence or residue, and 22.22% (2/9, including one non-recurrence patient with follow-up time of 22 months), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy combined with choledochoscope is a safe, efficient, and minimally invasive cholecystolithotomy method. We recommend this technique for the management of small stones (less than 15 mm) in high-risk surgical patients.

[Mini-invasive technologies in treatment of acute cholecystitis in patients with high operational and anesthetic risk]

The treatment results of 769 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis and high operational and anesthetic risk at admission are presented in the retrospective study. High risk was determined by expressed comorbidities, diseases' terms, the complications of acute cholecystitis, age, which was more than 60 years in most cases. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the severity of comorbidity and the possible effects of its correction. The first group included 617 perspective patients for cholecystectomy. And the second group included 152 patients unpromising for this. Concept of stage treatment was used in the first group including primary decompression of the gallbladder by using of percutaneous transhepatic micro-cholecystostomy under ultrasound guidance. Cholecystectomy was performed after correction of comorbidities, complications of acute cholecystitis, and readjustment of extrahepatic bile ducts by endoscopy if necessary. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed in 587 patients. There was open cholecystectomy in 11 cases. Cholecystectomy was done in 19 patients as a result of conversion. Cholecystostomy from minimal access with extraction of stones under local anesthesia was performed in the second group for decompression and as definitive treatment. There was not observed deaths in patients with high operational and anesthetic risk as a result of such tactics. Postoperatively 1.7% of patients had complications that were successfully resolved.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for high-risk surgical patients with acute calculous cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

The management of people at high risk of perioperative death due to their general condition (high-risk surgical patients) with acute calculous cholecystitis is controversial, with no clear guidelines. In particular, the role of percutaneous cholecystostomy in these patients has not been defined.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the benefits (temporary or permanent relief of symptoms) and harms (recurrence of symptoms, procedure-related morbidity) of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the management of high-risk individuals with symptomatic gallstones.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index Expanded to December 2012 to identify the randomised clinical trials. We also handsearched the references lists of identified trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included only randomised clinical trials (irrespective of language, blinding, or publication status) addressing this issue.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors collected data independently. For each outcome, we calculated the P values using Fisher's exact test or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

We included two trials with 156 participants for this review. The comparisons included in these two trials were percutaneous cholecystostomy followed by early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (1 trial; 70 participants) and percutaneous cholecystostomy versus conservative treatment (1 trial; 86 participants). Both trials had high risk of bias. Percutaneous cholecystostomy with early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy: There was no significant difference in mortality between the two intervention groups (0/37 versus 1/33; Fisher's exact test: P value = 0.47). There was no significant difference in overall morbidity between the two intervention groups (1/31 versus 2/30; Fisher's exact test: P value = 0.61). This trial did not report on quality of life. There was no significant difference in the proportion of participants requiring conversion to open cholecystectomy between the two intervention groups (2/31 percutaneous cholecystostomy followed by early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus 4/30 delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy; Fisher's exact test: P value = 0.43). The mean total hospital stay was significantly lower in the percutaneous cholecystostomy followed by early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group compared with the delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (1 trial; 61 participants; MD -9.90 days; 95% CI -12.31 to -7.49). The mean total costs were significantly lower in the percutaneous cholecystostomy followed by early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group compared with the delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (1 trial; 61 participants; MD -1123.00 USD; 95% CI -1336.60 to -909.40). Percutaneous cholecystostomy versus conservative treatment: Nine of the 44 participants underwent delayed cholecystectomy in the percutaneous cholecystostomy group. Seven of the 42 participants underwent delayed cholecystectomy in the conservative treatment group. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two intervention groups (6/44 versus 7/42; Fisher's exact test: P value = 0.77). There was no significant difference in overall morbidity between the two intervention groups (6/44 versus 3/42; Fisher's exact test: P value = 0.49). The number of participants who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy was not reported in this trial. Therefore, we were unable to calculate the proportion of participants who underwent conversion to open cholecystectomy. The other outcomes, total hospital stay, quality of life, and total costs, were not reported in this trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Based on the current available evidence from randomised clinical trials, we are unable to determine the role of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the clinical management of high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis. There is a need for adequately powered randomised clinical trials of low risk of bias on this issue.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy: the radiologist's role in treating acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is a common condition, with laparoscopic cholecystectomy considered the gold-standard for surgical management. However, surgical options are often unfavourable in patients who are very unwell, or have numerous medical co-morbidities, in which the mortality rates are significant. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an image-guided intervention, used to decompress the gallbladder, reducing patient's symptoms and the systemic inflammatory response. PC has been shown to be beneficial in high-risk patient groups, predominantly as a bridging therapy; allowing safer elective cholecystectomy once the patient has recovered from the acute illness; or, in the minority, as a definitive treatment in patients deemed unfit for surgery. This review aims to develop a broader understanding of PC, discussing its specific indications, patient management, technical factors, imaging guidance, and outcomes following the procedure.

Acute cholecystitis in high risk surgical patients: percutaneous cholecystostomy versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CHOCOLATE trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute calculous cholecystitis in high risk patients can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous cholecystostomy may be an alternative treatment option but the current literature does not provide the surgical community with evidence based advice.

METHODS/DESIGN

The CHOCOLATE trial is a randomised controlled, parallel-group, superiority multicenter trial. High risk patients, defined as APACHE-II score 7-14, with acute calculous cholecystitis will be randomised to laparoscopic cholecystectomy or percutaneous cholecystostomy. During a two year period 284 patients will be enrolled from 30 high volume teaching hospitals. The primary endpoint is a composite endpoint of major complications within three months following randomization and need for re-intervention and mortality during the follow-up period of one year. Secondary endpoints include all other complications, duration of hospital admission, difficulty of procedures and total costs.

DISCUSSION

The CHOCOLATE trial is designed to provide the surgical community with an evidence based guideline in the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis in high risk patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2666.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis: ten-year experience

PURPOSE

To review the clinical course of patients with acute cholecystitis treated by percutaneous cholecystostomy, and to identify risk factors retrospectively that predict outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 106 patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis were treated by percutaneous cholecystostomy during a 10-year period. Seventy-one (67%) presented to the emergency department (ED) specifically for acute cholecystitis, and 35 (23%) were inpatients previously admitted for other conditions. Outcomes of the two groups were compared with respect to severity of illness, leukocytosis, bile culture, liver function tests, imaging features, time intervals from onset of symptoms to medical and percutaneous intervention, and whether surgical cholecystectomy was later performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 72 patients (68%) showed an improvement clinically, whereas 34 (32%) showed no improvement or a clinically worsened condition after cholecystostomy. Patients who presented to the ED primarily with acute cholecystitis fared better (84% of patients showed improvement) than inpatients (34% showed improvement; P < .0001). Gallstones were identified in 54% of patients who presented to the ED, whereas acalculous cholecystitis was more commonly diagnosed in inpatients (54%). Patients with sepsis had worse outcomes overall (P < .0001). Bacterial bile cultures were analyzed in 95% of patients and showed positive results in 52%, with no overall effect on outcome. There was no correlation between the time of onset of symptoms until antibiotic therapy or cholecystostomy in either group. Long-term outcomes for both groups were better for those who later underwent cholecystectomy (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes after percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis are better when the disease is primary and not precipitated by concurrent illness.

Synchronous pyogenic liver abscess and acute cholecystitis: how to recognize it and what to do (emergency cholecystostomy followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy)

BACKGROUND

The treatment of synchronous pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and acute cholecystitis (AC) may be challenging. Moreover, because of the similarity of symptoms and the suboptimal accuracy of ultrasound (US), PLA(s) may be undetected, unless a computer tomography (CT) scan is performed. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the results of emergency cholecystostomy (CS) and late laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in such a population and (2) to identify the criteria for selecting patients with AC and a high risk of having synchronous PLA(s) for referral for a CT scan.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the outcome of 12 patients with AC and PLA(s) treated by emergency CS followed by delayed LC from January 1996 through May 2010 at a tertiary-care university hospital was performed. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data of patients with synchronous AC and PLA(s) are compared with those of 66 patients with "simple" AC.

RESULTS

The association of age >55 years, temperature >38°C, WBC count >12,000/ml, and ASAT >50 UI/l and/or ALAT >75 UI/l allows for the selection of patients at high risk of PLA to undergo a CT scan (sensitivity: 100%; specificity: 86%). All treated patients had a sudden improvement within 24 h following CS. PLA was treated in 10/12 patients (83%). Hospital stay lasted 21.5 ± 3.5 days. Ten patients underwent elective LC 12 ± 4 weeks after CS with no conversion and 30% perioperative morbidity. Operating time was 91 min. Hospital stay was 1.7 days [7 patients (70%) underwent surgery as an outpatient].

CONCLUSIONS

A simple algorithm is presented for the selection of patients with AC to undergo a CT scan to identify synchronous PLA. Emergency CS followed by delayed LC is a viable, first-line treatment option for synchronous PLA and AC.

Role of hepatic portocholecystostomy ('gallbladder Kasai') in treating infants with biliary atresia

The aim of this study is to compare liver function and cholangitis episodes during the first year postoperatively between patients who undergo hepatic portocholecystostomy (HPC) and patients who undergo hepatic portoenterostomy (HPE). Records of six patients who underwent HPC for biliary atresia (BA) and 27 patients who underwent HPE for BA were reviewed retrospectively. Comparison was done of the patient's total bilirubin, albumin, and international normalized ratio values preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Comparison was also done of the occurrence of ascending cholangitis during the first year postoperatively and in rates of transplant and mortality during long-term follow-up. Preoperative laboratory values between the two groups were not significantly different. At 6 months, the patients who underwent HPC had significantly lower total bilirubin levels compared with those who underwent HPE (HPC 0.8 +/- 0.96, n = 4; HPE 4.93 +/- 7.73, n = 21; P < 0.05). No other laboratory values or rates of ascending cholangitis, transplant, or mortality showed a significant difference. Those patients who underwent HPC had significantly lower total bilirubin levels at 6 months postoperatively. This may suggest that HPC may be a superior operative technique for patients who are candidates for the operation.

Stapled cholecystojejunostomy for palliative treatment of the malignant jaundice; an effective and feasible alternative to hand-sewn method

Unresectable periampullary cancer is commonly characterized by painless jaundice and has a rapid evolution with dismal prognosis. Biliary drainage can be achieved by various techniques and approaches, with the endoscopic drainage being the preferred method. However, when open surgery is performed with the intent to resect a tumor which is finally found to be unresectable, open drainage of the biliary tree is indicated. We present a new technique of cholecystojejunostomy using a circular mechanical stapler, which could be used in patients with intact gallbladder and widely patent the cystic duct. The described cholecystoenterostomy with the use of a circular mechanical stapler is the first reported in the literature. The procedure has been successfully used in 6 patients with excellent results. No early recurrence of biliary obstruction, cholangitis or post-operative anastomotic complications were observed. The relative simplicity of the procedure, the shorter operative time and the effective relief of jaundice, are the main advantages of the proposed technique. We believe that this method needs further investigation and can be proved effective in reducing hospitalization and anastomotic complications, compared to hand-sewn techniques.

Better treatment strategies for patients with acute cholecystitis and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 3 or greater

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the best treatment choice for acute cholecystitis. However, it still carries high conversion and mortality rates. The purpose of this study was to find out better treatment strategies for high surgical risk patients with acute cholecystitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2002 and June 2008, we performed percutaneous cholecystostomy instead of emergency cholecystectomy in 44 patients with acute cholecystitis and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification 3 or greater. This was performed in 31 patients as a bridge procedure before elective cholecystectomy (bridge group) and as a palliative procedure in 11 patients (palliation group).

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 71.6 years (range 52-86 years). The mean ASA classifications before and after percutaneous cholecystostomy were 3.3 +/- 0.5 and 2.5 +/- 0.6, respectively, in the bridge group, and 3.6 +/- 0.7 and 3.1 +/- 1.0, in the palliation group, respectively. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was technically successful in all patients. There were two deaths after percutaneous cholecystostomy in the palliation group due to underlying ischemic heart disease and multiple organ failure. Resumption of oral intake was possible 2.9 +/- 1.8 days in the bridge group and 3.9 +/- 3.5 days in the palliation group after percutaneous cholecystostomy. We attempted 17 laparoscopic cholecystectomies and experienced one failure due to bile duct injury (success rate: 94.1%). The postoperative course of all cholecystectomy patients was uneventful.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an effective bridge procedure before cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis and ASA classification 3 or greater.

Comparison of early outcome from transperitoneal versus transhepatic percutaneous cholecystostomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in the short-term clinical outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous cholecystostomy based on the anatomic route of gallbladder puncture that is, transhepatic versus transperitoneal.

METHODOLOGY

Our population consisted of 132 patients who: 1) presented with acute cholecystitis, 2) were at high risk for surgery because of comorbid conditions, 3) underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy either using computed tomography guidance or ultrasound guidance and whose anatomic route was known: the transhepatic percutaneous cholecystostomy group comprised 59 patients, the transperitoneal group 73 patients. Demographic characteristics and clinical parameters of the groups were compared statistically, as were postprocedure hospital course, complications and time to hospital discharge.

RESULTS

The two groups were similar in demographic characteristics. There was a statistically significant tendency for computed tomography-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy to be transhepatic, and for ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy to be transperitoneal. There were no differences in short-term postprocedure complications between the two groups. There was a tendency for shorter time to hospital discharge following transperitoneal percutaneous cholecystostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Transperitoneal and transhepatic percutaneous cholecystostomy are similar in short-term safety, with no significant difference in complication rate. The interventional radiologist can feel secure in performing percutaneous cholecystostomy using either approach.

[Percutaneous cholecystostomy and papilloplasty in elderly high-risk patient. Case report]

When acute cholecystitis is suspected in a very high-risk patient, percutaneous cholecystostomy should be considered as a safe and effective temporary management of patients with gallstones. Whenever possible, percutaneous cholecystostomy should be followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In elderly patients who are inappropriate surgical candidates because of severe concomitant systemic diseases, less invasive treatments may prevent recurrence. Our experience shows the feasibility of percutaneous cholecystostomy to achieve an effective treatment of acute cholecystitis in surgical high-risk patients with a physiologic biliary drainage of gallstones in duodenum to prevent recurrence. Moreover we demonstrated the feasibility of a concomitant percutaneous treatment of biliary disease.