Percutaneous cholecystostomy: diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy

New Scoring System for Prediction of Surgical Difficulty During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage

Background

The surgical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) remains unknown. This study aimed to establish a scoring system (SS) to predict the necessity of a bailout procedure during LC after PTGBD and to evaluate the relationship between SS and perioperative complications.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 70 patients who underwent LC after PTGBD. Preoperative factors potentially predictive of the need for the bailout procedure were analyzed. The SS included significantly predictive factors, with their cutoff values determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. Patients were assigned a score of 1 when exhibiting only one of these abnormalities. We compared the perioperative factors between three groups with scores of 0, 1, or 2. The SS was applied to another series of 65 patients for validation. We compared the score-2 patient perioperative factors between LC with the bailout procedure and open cholecystectomy from the beginning (OC).

Results

Independent predictors were time until PTGBD after symptom onset and the maximal wall gallbladder thickness (cutoff values: 3 days and 10 mm, respectively). The high-score group was significantly associated with bile duct injury (BDI). The sensitivity and specificity of our SS were 75.0% and 98.1% in validation, respectively. The score-2 OC and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) groups had no BDI.

Conclusions

The SS using time until PTGBD after symptom onset and gallbladder wall thickness for predicting the need for the bailout procedure correctly predicted the need. The scores might be associated with the risk of BDI, and LSC or OC might be a better choice for score-2 patients.

Gallbladder: Role of Interventional Radiology

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an established procedure for the management of patients with acute cholecystitis and with significant medical comorbidities that would make laparoscopic cholecystectomy excessively risky. In this review, we will explore the role of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the management of acute cholecystitis as well as other applications in the management of biliary pathology. The indications, grading, technical considerations, and postprocedure management in the setting of acute cholecystitis are discussed. In addition, we will discuss the potential role of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the management of gallstones and biliary strictures, in establishing internal biliary drainage, and in a joint setting with other clinicians such as gastroenterologists in the management of complex biliary pathology.

Controlling the transverse proton relaxivity of magnetic graphene oxide

The engineering of materials with controlled magnetic properties by means other than a magnetic field is of great interest in nanotechnology. In this study, we report engineered magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) in the nanocomposite form of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO)-graphene oxide (GO) with tunable core magnetism and magnetic resonance transverse relaxivity (r₂). These tunable properties are obtained by varying the IO content on GO. The MGO series exhibits r₂ values analogous to those observed in conventional single core and cluster forms of IO in different size regimes-motional averaging regime (MAR), static dephasing regime (SDR), and echo-limiting regime (ELR) or slow motion regime (SMR). The maximum r₂ of 162 ± 5.703 mM^-1s^-1 is attained for MGO with 28 weight percent (wt%) content of IO on GO and hydrodynamic diameter of 414 nm, which is associated with the SDR. These findings demonstrate the clear potential of magnetic graphene oxide for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.

Long-term outcome and recurrence factors after percutaneous cholecystostomy as a definitive treatment for acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) has been frequently used as an alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis in seriously ill patients unfit for surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrence rate and risk factors of recurrence.

METHODS

Medical records of 102 patients who were followed up for more than 1 year after PC tube removal among 716 patients who underwent PC for acute cholecystitis treatment were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The recurrence rate of acute cholecystitis after PC tube removal was 20.6% (21/102), and the mean time to recur was 660 days. Underlying cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 3.369; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.006-11.282; P = 0.0489), PC duration shorter than 44 days (OR: 5.596; 95% CI: 1.35-23.201; P = 0.0176), and the presence of common bile duct stone in initial imaging studies (OR: 24.393; 95% CI: 2.696-220.746; P = 0.0045) were positively correlated with recurrence. Tubogram before PC tube removal did not significantly lower the recurrence. However, PC tube clamping for several days significantly lowered the recurrence (OR: 0.108; 95% CI: 0.015-0.794; P = 0.0288). Fifty-nine (57.8%) had acalculous cholecystitis. Calculous cholecystitis was negatively correlated with recurrence (OR: 0.267; 95% CI: 0.074-0.967; P = 0.0444). Receiver operating characteristic curve of the prediction model for recurrence verified its accuracy (area under the curve: 0.8475).

CONCLUSION

We should try to keep PC more than 6 weeks and clamp for 1-2 weeks before removal. For those with the presence of common bile duct stones, calculous cholecystitis, and underlying malignancy, we should keep PC for longer duration and carefully observe symptoms and signs of recurrence.

Percutaneous cholecystocentesis in cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease

Objectives The objective was to evaluate the safety and diagnostic utility of percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis (PUC) in cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Methods Medical records of 83 cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease that underwent PUC were retrospectively reviewed. Results At the time of PUC, at least one additional procedure was performed in 79/83 cats, including hepatic aspiration and/or biopsy (n = 75) and splenic aspiration (n = 18). Complications were noted in 14/83 cases, including increased abdominal fluid (n = 11), needle-tip occlusion (n = 1), failed first attempt to penetrate the gall bladder wall (n = 1) and pneumoperitoneum (n = 1). There were no reports of gall bladder rupture, bile peritonitis or hypotension necessitating treatment with vasopressor medication. Blood products were administered to 7/83 (8%) cats. Seventy-two cats (87%) survived to discharge. Of the cats that were euthanized (9/83) or died (2/83), none were reported as a definitive consequence of PUC. Bacteria were identified cytologically in 10/71 samples (14%); all 10 had a positive aerobic bacterial culture. Bile culture was positive in 11/80 samples (14%). Of the cases with a positive bile culture, cytological description of bacteria corresponded to the organism cultured in fewer than 50% of cases. The most common cytologic diagnosis was hepatic lipidosis (49/66). The most common histopathologic diagnosis was cholangitis (10/21). Conclusions and relevance PUC was safe in this group of cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Complications were likely associated with ancillary procedures performed at the time of PUC. Bile analysis yielded an abnormal result in nearly one-third of cats with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Complete agreement between bile cytology and culture was lacking. Further evaluation of the correlation between bile cytology and bile culture is warranted.

Optimal timing of cholecystectomy after percutaneous gallbladder drainage for severe cholecystitis

Background

The Tokyo guideline for acute cholecystitis recommended percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage followed by cholecystectomy for severe acute cholecystitis, but the optimal timing for the subsequent cholecystectomy remains controversial.

Methods

Sixty-seven patients who underwent either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for severe acute cholecystitis were enrolled and divided into difficult cholecystectomy (group A) and non-difficult cholecystectomy (group B). Patients who had one of these conditions were placed in group A: 1) conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy; 2) subtotal cholecystectomy and/or mucoclasis; 3) necrotizing cholecystitis or pericholecystic abscess formation; 4) tight adhesions around the gallbladder neck; and 5) unsuccessfully treated using PTGBD. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The interval between percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and cholecystectomy in Group B was longer than that in Group A (631 h vs. 325 h; p = 0.031). Postoperative complications occurred more frequently when the interval was less than 216 h compared to when it was more than 216 h (35.7 vs. 7.6%; p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Cholecystectomy for severe acute cholecystitis was technically difficult when performed within 216 h after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0631-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long-Term Outcomes Following Percutaneous Cholecystostomy Tube Placement for Treatment of Acute Calculous Cholecystitis

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) placement is considered a safe alternative to cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC), but data regarding long-term outcomes following PCT are limited.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our institutional experience of patients undergoing PCT for ACC between 1997 and 2015. Recurrent biliary events were defined as cholecystitis, cholangitis, or gallstone pancreatitis.

RESULTS

PCT was placed for 288 patients with ACC. Mean age and age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index were 72 ± 15 years and 5.3 ± 2.4, respectively. Following PCT placement, 91% of patients successfully resolved their episode of ACC. PCT dysfunction occurred in 132 patients (46%), with 80 patients (28%) requiring re-intervention, while 7% developed procedure-related complications. Interval cholecystectomy reduced the risk of recurrent biliary events to 7% from 21% (p = 0.002). Cholecystectomy was completed laparoscopically in 45% of patients receiving an interval operation vs. 22% of those undergoing urgent surgery for PCT failure or recurrent biliary event (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

PCT placement is a highly successful treatment for acute calculous cholecystitis and is associated with low complication rate, but high rate of tube dysfunction requiring frequent re-intervention. Interval cholecystectomy is associated with a decreased likelihood of recurrent biliary events and increased likelihood of successful laparoscopic completion.

Emergency Versus Delayed Cholecystectomy After Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage in Grade II Acute Cholecystitis Patients

INTRODUCTION

In grade II acute cholecystitis patients presenting more than 72 h after onset of symptoms, we prospectively compared treatment with emergency (ELC) to delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed 6 weeks after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD).

METHODS

Four hundred ninety-five patients with acute cholecystitis were assessed for eligibility; 345 were excluded or declined to participate. One hundred fifty patients were treated after consent with either ELC or PTGBD.

RESULTS

Both PTGBD and ELC were able to resolve quickly cholecystitis sepsis. ELC patients had a significantly higher conversion rate (24 vs. 2.7 %, P < 0.001), longer mean operative time (87.8 ± 33.06 vs. 38.09 ± 8.23 min, P < 0.001), higher intraoperative blood loss (41.73 ± 51.09 vs. 26.33 ± 23.86, P = 0.008), and longer duration of postoperative hospital stay (51.71 ± 49.39 vs. 10.76 ± 5.75 h, P < 0.001) than those in the PTGBD group. Postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in the ELC group (26.7 vs. 2.7 %, P < 0.001) with a significant increase in incidence (10.7 %) of bile leak (P = 0.006) compared to those in the PTGBD group.

CONCLUSION(S)

PTGBD and ELC are highly efficient in resolving cholecystitis sepsis. Delayed cholecystectomy after PTGBD produces better outcomes with a lower conversion rate, fewer procedure-related complications, and a shorter hospital stay than emergency cholecystectomy.

Timing of Cholecystectomy after Percutaneous Cholecystostomy for Acute Cholecystitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for acute cholecystitis. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an alternative treatment to resolve acute inflammation in patients with severe comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystostomy for the patients with acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in patients who underwent cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystostomy from January 2010 through November 2014. Seventy-four patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups by the operation timing. Group I patients underwent cholecystectomy within 10 days after percutaneous cholecystostomy (n=30) and group II patients underwent cholecystectomy at more than 10 days after percutaneous cholecystostomy (n=44).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between groups in conversion rate to open surgery, operation time, perioperative complications rate, and days of hospital stay after operation. However, complications related to cholecystostomy such as catheter dislodgement occurred significantly more often in group II than group I (group I:group II=0%:18.2%; p=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystostomy did not influence postoperative outcomes. However, late surgery caused more complications related to cholecystostomy than early surgery. Therefore, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be considered over late surgery after percutaneous cholecystostomy insertion.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an effective treatment option for acute calculous cholecystitis: a 10-year experience

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) can be used to treat patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) who are considered to be unfit for surgery. However, this procedure has been insufficiently investigated. This paper presents the results of a 10-year experience with this treatment modality.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of all consecutive patients treated with PC for ACC in the period from 1 May 2002 to 30 April 2012 was conducted. All data were collected from patients' medical records.

RESULTS

A total of 278 patients were treated with PC for ACC. Of these, 13 (4.7%) died within 30 days, 28 (10.1%) underwent early laparoscopic cholecystectomy and three (1.1%) patients were lost from follow-up. Of the remaining 234 patients, 55 (23.5%) were readmitted for the recurrence of cholecystitis. In 128 (54.7%) patients, PC was the definitive treatment (median follow-up time: 5 years), whereas 51 (21.8%) patients were treated with elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The frequency of recurrence of cholecystitis in patients with contrast passage to the duodenum on cholangiography was lower than that in patients without contrast passage (21.1% versus 36.7%; P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study, which is the largest ever conducted in this treatment area, supports the hypothesis that PC is an effective treatment modality for critically ill patients with ACC unfit for surgery and results in a low rate of 30-day mortality.

Tube cholecystostomy before cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is currently indicated for patients with cholecystitis who might be poor candidates for operative cholecystectomy. We performed a study to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients undergoing emergent tube cholecystostomy.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent tube cholecystostomy from July 1, 2005, to July 1, 2012.

RESULTS

During the study period, 82 patients underwent 125 cholecystostomy tube placements. Four patients (5%) died during the year after tube placement. The mean hospital length of stay for survivors was 8.8 days (range, 1-59 days). Twenty-eight patients (34%) required at least 1 additional percutaneous procedure (range, 1-6) for gallbladder drainage. Twenty-nine patients (34%) ultimately underwent cholecystectomy. Surgery was performed a mean of 7 weeks after cholecystostomy tube placement. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in 25 operative patients but required conversion to an open approach in 8 cases (32%). In another 4 cases, planned open cholecystectomy was performed. Major postoperative complications were limited to 2 patients with postoperative common bile duct obstruction requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, 1 patient requiring a return to the operating room for hemoperitoneum, and 2 patients with bile leak from the cystic duct stump.

CONCLUSIONS

In high-risk patients receiving cholecystostomy tubes for acute cholecystitis, only about one third will undergo surgical cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in this circumstance has a higher rate of conversion to open surgery and higher hepatobiliary morbidity rate.

Percutaneous biliary interventions through the gallbladder and the cystic duct: What radiologists need to know

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an established drainage procedure for the management of high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis. However, percutaneous image-guided access to the gallbladder may not be limited to the simple placement of a drain, but may also be used as an alternative approach to the biliary tree through the catheterization of the cystic duct, for a variety of other more complicated conditions. Percutaneous transcholecystic interventions may be performed in both malignant and benign disease. In the case of malignant jaundice, the transcholecystic route may be used when the liver parenchyma is occupied by metastatic lesions and transhepatic access is not possible. In benign conditions, access through the gallbladder may offer a solution if the biliary tree is not dilated. The transcholecystic access may then be route of insertion of large sheaths, internal drainage catheters, lithotripsy devices, stone retrieval baskets, and stents. The purpose of this review is to illustrate the techniques and to discuss the indications, complications, and technical difficulties of this alternative access to the biliary tree.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is appropriate as definitive treatment for acute cholecystitis in critically ill patients: a single center, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an effective treatment for cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients. However, there is no definitive agreement on the need for additional cholecystectomy in these patients.

METHODS

All patients who were admitted to Cheju Halla General Hospital (Jeju, Korea) for acute cholecystitis and who underwent ultrasonography-guided PC between 2007 and 2012 were consecutively enrolled in this study. Among 82 total patients enrolled, 35 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy after recovery and 47 received the best supportive care (BSC) without additional surgery.

RESULTS

The technical and clinical success rates for PC were 100% and 97.5%, respectively. The overall mean survival was 12.8 months. In the BSC group, mean survival was 5.4 months, and in the cholecystectomy group, mean survival was 22.4 months (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between these groups in multivariate analysis (relative risk [RR]=1.92; 95% CI, 0.77-4.77; p=0.16). However, advanced age (RR=1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08; p=0.001) and higher class in the American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status (RR=3.06; 95% CI, 1.37-6.83, p=0.006) were significantly associated with survival in the multivariate analysis. Among the 47 patients in the BSC group, the cholecystostomy tube was removed in 31 patients per protocol. Recurrent cholecystitis was not observed in either group of patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

In high-risk surgical patients, PC without additional cholecystectomy might be the best definitive management. Furthermore, the cholecystostomy drainage catheter can be safely removed in certain patients.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis in patients with high comorbidity and re-evaluation of treatment efficacy

BACKGROUND

In high-risk and unfit-for-surgery patients with acute cholecystitis (AC), treatment options are controversial. Few studies have reported the results of long-term follow-up. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical course of patients after removal of the percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) catheter in high-risk patients with AC, time interval to relapse, and factors influencing relapse.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2011, 183 patients with AC underwent PC and catheter removal in Seoul National University Hospital and Boramae Hospital, Korea. Sixty cases were reviewed retrospectively after excluding cases with intended interval cholecystectomy, malignant biliary obstruction, loss to follow-up, and insufficient follow-up information.

RESULTS

The mean age was 68.6 ± 13.8 years, and the mean Karnofsky performance score was 24.8 ± 9.7. After insertion of a PC catheter, symptom resolution and improvement on imaging were achieved in 95% and 97.9% of patients, respectively. Laboratory values were also improved (P < .01). There was no mortality during admission; 2 patients (3.3%) experienced complications during removal of the PC catheter. Relapse was observed in 7 patients (11.7%) during a median follow-up of 38.1 ± 24.8 months. There were no differences in clinical, laboratory, or imaging findings between relapsing and nonrelapsing patients. Therefore, prediction of relapse was not possible.

CONCLUSION

Among high-risk patients with AC, 88.3% were managed with PC without relapse within a median follow-up period of 38.1 months, despite radiologically severe AC in some patients. We conclude that a temporary PC can be a first-line treatment for AC without interval cholecystectomy.

Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is a procedure to resolve acute cholecystitis (AC). It may decrease the technical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and thus may facilitate successful surgery when a patients' condition improves. However, the timing of LC after PTGBD remains controversial.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2010, cholecystectomy after PTGBD was performed in 67 patients with AC. Group I members underwent LC within 72 h of PTGBD (n = 21), whereas group II members underwent LC at more than 72 h after PTGBD (n = 46).

RESULTS

The open conversion rate was similar in the two groups. The perioperative complication rate was higher in group I than in group II, but with marginal significance (19.0 vs. 4.3%; p = 0.07). Mean operative time was longer in group I than in group II (79.3 ± 25.3 vs. 53.7 ± 45.3 min; p = 0.02). However, overall hospital stay was shorter in group I than in group II, but with marginal significance (10.8 ± 4.5 vs. 14.7 ± 9.3 days; p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Pros and cons were well balanced between the two groups. Decisions on the timing of cholecystectomy after PTGBD should be made based on considerations of patient condition, hospital facilities, and surgical experience.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy as the sole treatment in critically ill and elderly patients

PURPOSE

This study was done to investigate the effectiveness and clinical outcome of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) of treating acute cholecystitis in critical ill and elderly patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the last 3 years, PC was performed on 30 elderly and critically ill patients (17 men, 13 women; mean age 78.6, range 57-97 years) with acute cholecystitis and comorbid diseases.

RESULTS

Technical success was 30/30 (100%). Clinical effectiveness was 30/30 (100%), with statistically significant reductions in while blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fever. Mean WBC upon admission (19.87×10(3)±1.61×10(3) /μl), axillary temperature (38.2±0.11 °C), and CRP (248.7±4.76 mg/l) values were significantly decreased in the 72 h following PC [12.9×10(3) ± 1.05×10(3)/μl (p≤0.0001), 37 ± 0.04 °C (p≤0.0001), 113.5 ± 3 mg/l (p≤0.0001), respectively]. Clinical and ultrasonographic (US) signs of acute cholecystitis decreased in all patients. There were no major complications or procedure-related deaths, and the morbidity rate was low (3/30; 10%).

CONCLUSIONS

PC appears to be a fast, easy and effective treatment for the acute phase of cholecystitis in elderly and critically ill patients. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates are very low compared with surgery. Conservative treatment for patients who are not eligible for surgery is acceptable.

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.

Systematic review of cholecystostomy as a treatment option in acute cholecystitis

OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an established low-mortality treatment option for elderly and critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis. The primary aim of this review is to find out if there is any evidence in the literature to recommend PC rather than cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in the elderly population.

METHODS

In April 2007, a systematic electronic database search was performed on the subject of PC and cholecystectomy in the elderly population. After exclusions, 53 studies remained, comprising 1918 patients. Three papers described randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but none compared the outcomes of PC and cholecystectomy. A total of 19 papers on mortality after cholecystectomy in patients aged >65 years were identified.

RESULTS

Successful intervention was seen in 85.6% of patients with acute cholecystitis. A total of 40% of patients treated with PC were later cholecystectomized, with a mortality rate of 1.96%. Procedure mortality was 0.36%, but 30-day mortality rates were 15.4 % in patients treated with PC and 4.5% in those treated with acute cholecystectomy (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There are no controlled studies evaluating the outcome of PC vs. cholecystectomy and the papers reviewed are of evidence grade C. It is not possible to make definitive recommendations regarding treatment by PC or cholecystectomy in elderly or critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis. Low mortality rates after cholecystectomy in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis have been reported in recent years and therefore we believe it is time to launch an RCT to address this issue.

Usefulness of single and repetitive percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration for the treatment of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and usefulness of single and repetitive percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration (PTGBA) for the treatment of acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

PTGBA was performed in patients with acute cholecystitis who showed no improvement after treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. PTGBA was carried out at bedside. When the bile was too thick to be aspirated through a 21-gauge needle, an 18-gauge needle was used. Aspiration of the gallbladder contents and injection of antibiotics into the gallbladder were performed without the placement of a drainage catheter. When improvement was not observed after the first attempt, PTGBA was repeated.

RESULTS

Single PTGBA achieved improvement in 32 of 45 patients. In 11 of the remaining 13 patients, the second PTGBA was effective. In the remaining two patients, repetitive PTGBA was not carried out because of advanced cancer. In two of 45 patients, 18-gauge needles were necessary for PTGBA because of the high viscosity of the bile. PTGBA was carried out in three patients with blockage of the cystic duct by a stent, and it was effective in all three. Two patients whose conditions improved with a single PTGBA experienced a recurrence at 4 and 31 months, respectively, after PTGBA. No other severe complications related to PTGBA were observed in any patients.

CONCLUSIONS

For the treatment of acute cholecystitis that does not react to conservative therapies, PTGBA is a safe, simple, and effective treatment modality that can be performed at bedside without any severe complications.

Ultrasound guided percutaneous cholecystostomy in high-risk patients for surgical intervention

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of ultrasound guided percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in the treatment of acute cholecystitis in a well-defined high risk patients under general anesthesia.

METHODS

The data of 27 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy for the management of acute cholecystitis from January 1999 to June 2003 was retrospectively evaluated. All of the patients had both clinical and sonographic signs of acute cholecystitis and had comorbid diseases.

RESULTS

Ultrasound revealed gallbladder stones in 25 patients and acalculous cholecystitis in two patients. Cholecystostomy catheters were removed 14-32 d (mean 23 d) after the procedure in cases where complete regression of all symptoms was achieved. There were statistically significant reductions in leukocytosis, (13.7 x 10(3)+/-1.3 x 10(3) microg/L vs 13 x 10(3)+/-1 x 10(3) microg/L, P < 0.05 for 24 h after PC; 13.7 x 10(3)+/-1.3 x 10(3) microg/L vs 8.3 x 10(3)+/-1.2 x 10(3) microg/L, P < 0.0001 for 72 h after PC), C -reactive protein (51.2+/-18.5 mg/L vs 27.3+/-10.4 mg/L, P < 0.05 for 24 h after PC; 51.2+/-18.5 mg/L vs 5.4+/-1.5 mg/L, P < 0.0001 for 72 h after PC), and fever (38+/-0.35 centigrade vs 37.3+/-0.32 centigrade, P < 0.05 for 24 h after PC; 38+/-0.35 centigrade vs 36.9+/-0.15 centigrade, P < 0.0001 for 72 h after PC). Sphincterotomy and stone extraction was performed successfully with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in three patients. After cholecystostomy, 5 (18%) patients underwent delayed cholecystectomy without any complications. Three out of 22 patients were admitted with recurrent acute cholecystitis during the follow-up and recovered with medical treatment. Catheter dislodgement occurred in three patients spontaneously, and two of them were managed by reinsertion of the catheter.

CONCLUSION

As an alternative to surgery, percutaneous cholecystostomy seems to be a safe method in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis and can be performed with low mortality and morbidity. Delayed cholecystectomy and ERCP, if needed, can be performed after the acute period has been resolved by percutaneous cholecystostomy.

Percutaneous Cholecystostomy Catheter Removal and Incidence of Clinically Significant Bile Leaks: A Clinical Approach to Catheter Management

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the incidence of bile leaks upon removal of small-bore percutaneous cholecystostomy catheters and to evaluate clinical and imaging guidelines to ensure safe catheter removal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective evaluation of all gallbladder drainages performed over a 5-year period revealed 163 patients (range, 7-98 years) who underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy catheter placement. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed to assess the events at catheter removal (e.g., inadvertent removal, controlled removal with cholangiography without tract imaging, or controlled removal with cholangiography with tract imaging) and the incidence of major and minor bile leaks.

RESULTS

The events at catheter removal were assessed in 66 patients. Group 1 was 45 patients whose catheters were removed after a minimum of approximately 3 weeks with a cholangiogram that established cystic and common duct patency and no imaging of the tract. Catheters were not removed until the patient recovered from acute illnesses that contributed to acalculous cholecystitis. Group 2 was 11 patients managed similarly to group 1 except that tract imaging was performed at catheter removal. Group 3 was 10 patients whose tubes came out inadvertently without cholangiogram or tract imaging. Two major (group 2 and group 3) and two minor (group 2) bile leaks occurred. No bile leaks occurred in group 1 (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Major bile leaks occurred in 3% of patients, and minor leaks occurred with equal frequency. Tract imaging may not be necessary in patients with small-bore gallbladder catheters who have recovered from critical illness, show patent cystic and common ducts, and have had catheters for 3-6 weeks.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy versus gallbladder aspiration for acute cholecystitis: a prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to determine and compare the effectiveness and incidence of complications of percutaneous cholecystostomy and gallbladder aspiration in cases of severe acute cholecystitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Fifty-eight patients with severe acute cholecystitis who did not improve after antibiotic treatment were included in this study. The patients were randomized into either the percutaneous cholecystostomy group (n = 30) or the gallbladder aspiration group (n = 28). Under sonographic guidance, percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in the usual manner using a 6.5- or 7-French catheter. Gallbladder aspiration was carried out with a 21-gauge needle under sonographic guidance. The technical success, clinical response, and complications in each group were evaluated.

RESULTS

Percutaneous cholecystostomy and gallbladder aspiration were technically successful in 30 patients (100%) and 23 patients (82%), respectively (not statistically significant). In five patients (18%) of the gallbladder aspiration group, aspiration was unsuccessful because of replacement of bile with dense biliary sludge or pus. Good clinical response was obtained in 27 patients (90%) of the percutaneous cholecystostomy group and in 14 patients (61%) of the gallbladder aspiration group (p < 0.05). As for complications, dislodgment of the catheter occurred in one patient of the percutaneous cholecystostomy group and minor bleeding in one patient after gallbladder aspiration. No major complications or procedure-related deaths occurred in either group.

CONCLUSION

For severe acute cholecystitis, percutaneous cholecystostomy was superior to gallbladder aspiration in terms of clinical effectiveness and had the same complication rate as gallbladder aspiration.

US-guided Percutaneous Cholecystostomy: Features Predicting Culture-Positive Bile and Clinical Outcome

PURPOSE

To assess sonographic and clinical features that might be used to predict infected bile and/or patient outcome from ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between February 1997 and August 2002 at one institution, 112 patients underwent US-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy (59 men, 53 women; average age, 69.3 years). All US images were scored on a defined semiquantitative scale according to preset parameters: (a) gallbladder distention, (b) sludge and/or stones, (c) wall appearance, (d) pericholecystic fluid, and (e) common bile duct size and/or choledocholithiasis. Separate and total scores were generated. Retrospective evaluation of (a) the bacteriologic growth of aspirated bile and its color and (b) clinical indices (fever, white blood cell count, bilirubin level, liver function test results) was conducted by reviewing medical records. For each patient, the clinical manifestation was classified into four groups: (a) localized right upper quadrant symptoms, (b) generalized abdominal symptoms, (c) unexplained sepsis, or (d) sepsis with other known infection. Logistic regression models, exact Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used.

RESULTS

Forty-seven (44%) of 107 patients had infected bile. A logistic regression model showed that wall appearance, distention, bile color, and pericholecystic fluid were not individually significant predictors for culture-positive bile, leaving sludge and/or stones (P =.003, odds ratio = 1.647), common bile duct status (P =.02, odds ratio = 2.214), and total score (P =.007, odds ratio = 1.267). No US covariates or clinical indices predicted clinical outcome. Clinical manifestation was predictive of clinical outcome (P =.001) and aspirating culture-positive bile (P =.008); specifically, 30 (86%) of 35 patients with right upper quadrant symptoms had their condition improve, compared with one (7%) of 15 asymptomatic patients with other known causes of infection.

CONCLUSION

US variables can be used to predict culture-positive bile but not patient outcome. Clinical manifestation is important because patients with right upper quadrant symptoms have the best clinical outcome.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC), a technique that consists of percutaneous catheter placement in the gallbladder lumen under imaging guidance, has become an alternative to surgical cholecystostomy in recent years. Indications of PC include calculous or acalculous cholecystitis, cholangitis, biliary obstruction and opacification of biliary ducts. It also provides a potential route for stone dissolution therapy and stone extraction. Under aseptic conditions and ultrasound guidance, using local anesthesia, the procedure is carried out by using either modified Seldinger technique or trocar technique. Transhepatic or transperitoneal puncture can be performed as an access route. Several days after the procedure transcatheter cholangiography is performed to assess the patency of cystic duct, presence of gallstones and catheter position. The tract is considered mature in the absence of leakage to the peritoneal cavity, subhepatic, subcapsular, or subdiaphragmatic spaces. Response rates to PC in the literature are between the range of 56-100% as the variation of different patient population. Complications associated with PC usually occur immediately or within days and include haemorrhage, vagal reactions, sepsis, bile peritonitis, pneumothorax, perforation of the intestinal loop, secondary infection or colonisation of the gallbladder and catheter dislodgment. Late complications have been reported as catheter dislodgment and recurrent cholecystitis. PC under ultrasonographic guidance is a cost-effective, easy to perform and reliable procedure with low complication and high success rates for critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis. It is generally followed by elective cholecystectomy, if possible. However, it may be definitive treatment, especially in acalculous cholecystitis.

Treatment of acute cholecystitis in non-critically ill patients at high surgical risk: comparison of clinical outcomes after gallbladder aspiration and after percutaneous cholecystostomy

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to compare the clinical outcome after gallbladder aspiration with that after percutaneous cholecystostomy in non-critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis who were at high risk from surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of 53 consecutive non-critically ill, high-surgical-risk patients admitted with acute cholecystitis between July 1995 and July 1999 were reviewed. Thirty-one had gallbladder aspiration and 22 had percutaneous cholecystostomy. The primary outcome measure of clinical response within 72 hr and the secondary outcome measures of overall positive response rate, complication rate, time to resolution, and rate of recurrence of acute cholecystitis were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Gallbladder aspiration and percutaneous cholecystostomy were technically successful in 30 (97%) and 21 (97%) patients, respectively; of these, 23 (77%) and 19 (90%) patients responded clinically within 72 hr (p > 0.2). Complications occurred in three patients (12%) after percutaneous cholecystostomy and in none after gallbladder aspiration (p < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in the other secondary outcome measures of the two groups.

CONCLUSION

We found no significant difference in the clinical outcomes of gallbladder aspiration and percutaneous cholecystostomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis in high-surgical-risk patients who are not critically ill. However, we found gallbladder aspiration to be significantly safer. Therefore, gallbladder aspiration should be the procedure of choice in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis who are not critically ill, and percutaneous cholecystectomy should be reserved as a salvage procedure if gallbladder aspiration is technically or clinically unsuccessful.

Percutaneous gallbladder drainage for delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Many studies have concluded that delayed or interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) demonstrated higher conversion rates and complication rates compared with early LC. However, if the acutely inflamed gallbladder is decompressed by emergent percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGBD), it may decrease the technical difficulty of LC allowing successful delayed LC when the patient is in better condition. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the outcomes of delayed LC following PGBD in patients with AC.

METHODS

A total of 72 LC for AC were divided into PGBD (n = 27) and non-PGBD groups (n = 45). The PGBD group had delayed LC (after 72 hours of admission). Thirty-two non-PGBD patients had early LC (within 72 hours of admission) and 13 non-PGBD had delayed LC. Outcome of delayed LC for the PGBD group was assessed by LC time, conversion rate, morbidity rate, and hospital stay, and compared with that of the non-PGBD group.

RESULTS

Compared with early and delayed LC of the non-PGBD group, the PGBD group showed longer LC time (median 110 minutes versus 87.5 minutes versus 85 minutes, P <0. 05), a little lower conversion rate (15% versus 25% versus 23%), similar morbidity rate (15% versus 9% versus 15%), and prolonged hospital stay (13 days versus 7 days versus 10 days).

CONCLUSIONS

PGBD did not significantly improve the outcome of LC for AC as assessed by conversion and morbidity rate and hospital stay compared with no PGBD. Thus, we can conclude that although PGBD is a safe and effective emergency procedure for AC, it should be limited to higher risk groups such as elderly or critically ill patients and to acalculous cholecystitis.

MR-guided cholecystostomy: assessment of biplanar, real-time needle tracking in three pigs

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided cholecystostomy using active, real-time, biplanar MR tracking in animal experiments.

METHODS

Experiments were performed on three fully anesthetized pigs in an interventional MR system (GE open). The gallbladder was displayed in two orthogonal planes using a heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence. These "cholangio roadmaps" were displayed on LCD monitors positioned in front of the interventionalist. A special coaxial MR-tracking needle, equipped with a small receive-only coil at its tip, was inserted percutaneously into the gallbladder under continuous, biplanar MR guidance. The MR-tracking sequence allowed sampling of the coil (needle tip) position every 120 msec. The position of the coil was projected onto the two orthogonal "cholangio roadmap" images.

RESULTS

Successful insertion of the needle was confirmed by aspiration of bile from the gallbladder. The process of aspiration and subsequent instillation of Gd-DTPA into the gallbladder was documented with fast gradient-recalled echo imaging.

CONCLUSION

Biplanar, active, real-time MR tracking in combination with "cholangio roadmaps" allows for cholecystostomies in an interventional MRI environment.

Percutaneous cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis and an increased surgical risk

PURPOSE

To evaluate percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with acute cholecystitis and an increased surgical risk.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with acute cholecystitis (calculous, n = 22; acalculous, n = 11) underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy by means of a transhepatic (n = 21) or transperitoneal (n = 12) access route. Clinical and laboratory parameters were retrospectively studied to determine the benefit from cholecystostomy.

RESULTS

All procedures were technically successful. Twenty-two (67%) patients improved clinically within 48 hr; showing a significant decrease in body temperature (n = 13), normalization of the white blood cell count (n = 3), or both (n = 6). There were 6 (18%) minor-moderate complications (transhepatic access, n = 3; transperitoneal access, n = 3). Further treatment for patients with calculous cholecystitis was cholecystectomy (n = 9) and percutaneous and endoscopic stone removal (n = 3). Further treatment for patients with acalculous cholecystitis was cholecystectomy (n = 2) and gallbladder ablation (n = 2). There were 4 deaths (12%) either in hospital or within 30 days of drainage; none of the deaths was procedure-related.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a safe and effective procedure for patients with acute cholecystitis. For most patients with acalculous cholecystitis percutaneous cholecystostomy may be considered a definitive therapy. In calculous disease this treatment is often only temporizing and a definitive surgical, endoscopic, or radiologic treatment becomes necessary.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy: a valuable technique in high-risk patients with presumed acute cholecystitis

Percutaneous cholecystostomy offers a potentially important therapeutic modality for critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis who represent a high risk for general anaesthesia. The aim of the study was to assess experience with percutaneous cholecystostomy in resolving the acute episode of cholecystitis without operative intervention. Twenty-two consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis underwent the procedure. All were at high risk for general anaesthesia, and all but one developed cholecystitis while hospitalized for another co-morbid condition; 14 were in an intensive care unit. Twenty-one of the 22 patients proved to have acute cholecystitis (11 acalculous, ten cholelithiasis). There were no acute technical complications. Toxaemia resolved in 17 of the 21 patients with acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis failed to resolve in three patients; all died within 48 h from overwhelming generalized sepsis. One patient required emergency cholecystectomy for bile peritonitis when the cholecystostomy catheter became dislodged 24 h after placement. The 60-day mortality rate for the acalculous and calculous patient groups was 55 and 20 per cent, respectively. Only three interval cholecystectomies have been performed at a mean follow-up of 19 months. In conclusion, percutaneous cholecystostomy may be the procedure of choice for the management of acute cholecystitis in the very high-risk critically ill patient. If symptoms fail to resolve quickly, ongoing sepsis, cholangitis or gallbladder necrosis should be suspected.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for the diagnosis and treatment of acute calculous and acalculous cholecystitis

PURPOSE

To determine the safety, efficacy, and diagnostic utility of percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with suspected calculous or acalculous cholecystitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Percutaneous cholecystostomy guided with ultrasound (US) was performed in 58 consecutive hospitalized patients with suspected acute cholecystitis (28 with calculous, 30 with acalculous disease) who were not surgical candidates.

RESULTS

The gallbladder was successfully catheterized in all 58 patients; 48 patients (83%) had a final diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Clinical benefit was seen in 26 of 28 patients (93%) with calculous cholecystitis and in 16 of 20 patients (80%) with acalculous disease. The six patients who did not respond had pathologic evidence of transmural inflammation, and five had a gangrenous wall. The gallbladder was excluded as the source of sepsis in 10 patients with suspected acalculous cholecystitis. These patients' conditions did not improve after percutaneous cholecystostomy. Of the 48 patients with cholecystitis, 18 underwent cholecystectomy, 25 recovered and had their catheters removed, and five died of other causes with their catheters in place. There was one major complication, and seven minor complications.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is efficacious in both calculous and acalculous cholecystitis, but it may be most useful in the diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis.

Imaging and intervention in patients with acute right upper quadrant disease

Because of the high diagnostic yield, its widespread availability and the possibility of bedside examinations, US has become the imaging modality of choice in patients with acute right upper quadrant pain caused by inflammatory disorders such as liver abscesses, acute cholangitis and acute cholecystitis. Computed tomography (CT) can be reserved for more complex cases. US, often in combination with fluoroscopy, is also widely used to control interventions. In patients with liver abscesses the therapeutic strategy is determined by the size of the abscess, its uni- or multifocal presentation and the causative micro-organisms cultured after diagnostic percutaneous aspiration. Small-sized pyogenic abscesses (< 3 cm), most fungal and amoebic abscesses can be treated medically. Large-sized pyogenic abscesses should be drained percutaneously and can be cured in 75-90%. Surgery should be restricted to patients with prolonged sepsis after percutaneous drainage and patients with infected pre-existing hepatic lesions. In patients with acute cholangitis drainage of the infected bile is essential. Invasive imaging such as percutaneous or endoscopic cholangiography procedures such as nasobiliary drainage, stent placement and sphincterotomy has decreased mortality rates dramatically. Percutaneous drainage should be considered in patients in whom endoscopic procedures fail. Surgery may have a place in the treatment of bile duct obstruction which causes cholangitis. In patients with suspected acute cholecystitis, imaging modalities such as cholescintigraphy and CT can be reserved for patients with inconclusive sonographic studies and more complex cases. The contribution of percutaneous gallbladder aspiration and culture to diagnose acute cholecystitis seems limited. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an effective procedure with a low morbidity and mortality for high-risk patients. The drainage catheter in the gallbladder does not interfere with cholecystectomy at a later stage in patients with calculous cholecystitis. In most patients with acalculous cholecystitis, percutaneous cholecystectomy provides a definitive treatment.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in the critically ill burn patient

OBJECTIVE

We desired to demonstrate the utility of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the evaluation and management of critically ill burn patients with fever and rising cholestatic chemistries.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Over a 2 1/2-year period there were 411 admissions to a regional adult burn until of whom six patients (1.5%) were strongly suspected of having developed acute cholecystitis. Five were managed with percutaneous cholecystostomy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

All patients had sonographic signs consistent with acute cholecystitis. One was managed with immediate laparotomy and the remaining five patients underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy at the bedside (n = 4) or in the ultrasonography suite (n = 1) without complication. One patient died of multiple organ failure 3 days after catheter placement despite good catheter position and function. Two of the surviving patients responded promptly to drainage of the gallbladder with resolution of fever and normalization of liver function tests. Two patients did not respond despite catheters that were properly placed and functioning, reliably eliminating the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. One patient underwent interval cholecystectomy after wound closure and the remaining patients were discharged after catheters were removed.

CONCLUSIONS

Bedside percutaneous cholecystostomy is a minimally invasive procedure that can facilitate the evaluation and management of the critically ill burn patient with fever and rising cholestatic chemistries in whom a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis is suspected.

Percutaneous abscess drainage: current applications for critically ill patients

Radiologically guided percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) was first reported in 1977. Since this time, technological advances in imaging, improved catheter technology, and increased experience with the procedure have resulted in a tremendous expansion of the indications for PAD. This procedure currently has applications in nearly every organ system of the body. These changes have also contributed to improved success rates, with concurrent minimization of procedure-related complications. The advantages of PAD include simple, rapid performance; feasibility of bedside intensive care unit (ICU) performance; safety; avoidance of general anesthesia; and well-documented efficacy. This procedure has now become well entrenched in clinical medicine and probably ranks with the development of effective antibiotics as the most significant improvement in the treatment of abscesses in the past century. PAD is ideally suited for the treatment of critically ill ICU patients. We discuss technical developments over the past 15 years; general principles of patient preparation and catheters are also reviewed. Current applications of PAD in each organ system are discussed.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy: safety of the transperitoneal route

PURPOSE

The authors analyzed the safety and efficacy of transperitoneal percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in patients with acute cholecystitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-four consecutive patients underwent transperitoneal PC for treatment of acute cholecystitis. A trocar technique was used for placement of the drainage catheter.

RESULTS

PC was technically successful in all patients. In 27 (79%) of 34 patients, symptoms of acute cholecystitis resolved within 7 days. Minor complications occurred in two patients (5%). Both patients developed a hematoma adjacent to the gallbladder; these resolved without treatment. No cases of bile leak or bile peritonitis occurred.

CONCLUSION

The transperitoneal route is safe and effective for PC.

Assessment of the biliary tract by antegrade cholecystography after percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with acute cholecystitis

The diagnostic value of formal antegrade cholecystography in a consecutive series of 44 patients with scintigraphically confirmed acute cholecystitis, treated by percutaneous transperitoneal cholecystostomy, has been evaluated. A total of six patients did not have antegrade cholecystography (catheter migration in five patients and gangrenous gallbladder perforation in one). Antegrade cholecystography was performed in the remaining 38: 10 patients with persisting cystic duct obstruction and 28 patients with patent cystic ducts. In the persisting cystic duct obstruction group, antegrade cholecystography confirmed the cause of gallbladder outflow obstruction as impacted calculi in either the gallbladder neck or cystic duct in all patients. In the patent cystic duct group, antegrade cholecystography demonstrated the common ducts well in all but two patients, and common duct calculi in eight of nine patients. Three patients had common duct calculi in non-dilated ducts. Antegrade cholecystography is an easy and safe method of clarifying gallbladder pathology in all patients, and can be used to evaluate the common duct for associated common duct calculi in most patients.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for suspected acute cholecystitis in the hospitalized patient

PURPOSE

The authors evaluated the outcome of 49 hospitalized patients with sepsis and possible acute cholecystitis in whom emergency percutaneous cholecystostomy was attempted on 50 occasions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All cholecystostomy procedures were performed with ultrasound (US) guidance by using either the trocar (n = 35) or the Seldinger (n = 15) technique. Forty of the 50 cholecystostomies (80%) were attempted at the patients' bedside, and 49 of the 50 catheters (98%) were placed successfully.

RESULTS

Twenty-five of these patients eventually died of other causes (51%), but there was clinical improvement in 31 of the 49 patients (63%) based on a 72-hour decrease of temperature to less than 37.3 degrees C, normalization of white blood cell count, and/or resolution of abdominal pain. US findings were correlated with clinical response. Clinical improvement occurred most frequently after cholecystostomy in patients with either a distended gallbladder (74%), pericholecystic fluid (80%), or gallstones (92%). Forty-three of the 49 patients underwent cholecystostomy alone (88%), and six required further procedures (12%). There were six complications (12%) including catheter dislodgment (n = 3), hematoma (n = 1), and severe pain (n = 2). No deaths were directly attributed to percutaneous cholecystostomy.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous cholecystostomy performed in septic hospitalized patients is a low-risk procedure that may be helpful in the treatment of some patients with suspected acute cholecystitis.

Operative tube versus percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis

The records of 26 patients who underwent cholecystostomy procedures for presumed acute cholecystitis during a 6-year period were reviewed. Nine patients had operative tube cholecystostomy (OC), and 17 patients had radiologic percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC). A correct diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made in 22 of 26 patients (84%), including 14 of 17 PC patients and 8 of 9 in the OC group. The rate of resolution of cholecystitis was the same in each group (75% OC versus 78% PC). APACHE II scores prior to treatment were significantly higher in OC patients (20.9 OC versus 12.4 PC, p < 0.01). There were 5 deaths, including 3 in the OC groups and 2 in the PC group. Nonfatal complications were more frequent in the PC group. Two of the 14 correctly diagnosed PC patients (14%) subsequently required emergency cholecystectomy for persistent biliary sepsis, and 6 patients (43%) required at least 1 tube exchange for occlusion or dislodgement. Overall, only 5 of the 14 patients (36%) in the PC group were successfully treated without complications compared with 5 of 8 patients (63%) in the OC group. Despite its theoretical advantages, PC was no more effective than OC in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. These data suggest that OC remains a viable treatment option in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy for acute complicated calculous cholecystitis in elderly patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the immediate and long-term outcomes of elderly patients with acute complicated cholecystitis treated by percutaneous cholecystostomy. To assess the results of bile cultures obtained in this group of patients.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Thirty-two patients, with a mean (+/- S.D.) age of 78 +/- 8 years (range, 58-92 years), and who presented with acute cholecystitis complicated by empyema formation. Sixty-six percent had associated disorders, which rendered them at high risk for surgical intervention.

INTERVENTION

Percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage of the gallbladder, with a mean drainage time of 20 days (range 0-84 days). In addition, endoscopic sphincterotomy with removal of common bile duct stones was performed in six patients and percutaneous aspiration of an associated liver abscess in four cases.

RESULTS

Percutaneous cholecystostomy was followed by rapid regression of clinical symptoms and of radiologic abnormalities in all patients. Sixteen cases (50%) underwent elective cholecystectomy 1-12 weeks after cholecystostomy. One of them died of aspiration pneumonia, whereas 15 had no post-operative problems and were discharged 9 days (mean) after surgery. Forty-four percent (14/32) were considered inoperable: they remained completely free of biliary symptoms and died of unrelated illness (22%) after a mean follow-up of 6 months (range, 1-22 months) or are still alive (22%) with a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 5-36 months). Bile cultures were positive in 75% of the patients. Escherichia coli, other aerobic Gram-negative micro-organisms, and anaerobic bacterial species accounted for 35% (16/46), 28% (13/46), and 20% (9/46) of the isolated bacteria, respectively. All aerobic Gram-negative species tested in vitro were susceptible to gentamicin and to temocillin.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of elderly high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis complicated by empyema formation. It can be followed by elective cholecystectomy, if possible, or by expectant conservative management in patients who are inoperable because of systemic disease.

Acute cholecystitis: ultrasonographic staging and percutaneous cholecystostomy

Experience in the treatment of acute cholecystitis with percutaneous cholecystostomy in 29 high-risk and elderly patients is reported. The treatment group included 14 men and 15 women, 21 of whom were over 70 years of age. The suspected clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was confirmed in all cases by ultrasonography (accuracy: 95.6%). The percutaneous cholecystostomy was successful in 27 of 29 cases and these patients had a sudden improvement in their clinical condition; failure of the procedure was due in one patient to dislodgement of the catheter and in another patient to the guide-wire slipping out of the gallbladder. Six patients complained of pain radiating to the right shoulder which disappeared within 30-60 minutes after the procedure. Twenty-three of the 27 patients subsequently underwent elective cholecystectomy. In 22 patients the ultrasonographic findings were compared with the histology; thus enabling us to establish an ultrasonographic staging of acute cholecystitis related to the seriousness of the disease. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is the treatment of choice in high-risk patients, in the elderly, as well as in young patients with impending perforation.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in critically ill patients

Sixteen critically ill patients underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy because of suspected acute cholecystitis. The procedure was technically successful, although 11 of 16 patients died subsequently because of various complications of their underlying primary disorders. We reviewed this series to reassess the value of percutaneous cholecystostomy. Four of 11 patients with definite acute cholecystitis (group 1) were cured by this technique, but three required surgery because of gallbladder wall necrosis. Two of these were among four cases which had demonstrated pericholecystic fluid collections on computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound of the abdomen. There were also five patients (group 2) in whom acute cholecystitis or its relationship to patients' symptoms were not fully determined, and four of them did not improve after percutaneous cholecystostomy. We conclude that this technique has a lower success rate in critically ill patients than reported previously.

Delayed gallbladder rupture following percutaneous cholecystostomy

Percutaneous cholecystostomy has become an accepted therapeutic alternative for high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis. However, some authors have cautioned that patients with gallbladder wall necrosis and gangrene may not be effectively treated by means of percutaneous drainage alone. A case is reported in which gallbladder wall necrosis progressed following technically successful percutaneous drainage. Spontaneous gallbladder rupture ensued, necessitating emergent cholecystectomy. Cholecystography 2 weeks following tube placement and 1 week prior to rupture showed a markedly abnormal, irregular gallbladder lumen. The authors suggest that follow-up cholecystography may be a useful tool for evaluating patient response to percutaneous cholecystostomy and for determining subsequent patient management.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy: does transhepatic puncture preclude a transperitoneal catheter route?

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is now commonly performed for the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder and biliary disorders. The optimal method and route of percutaneous cholecystostomy catheter placement, however, remain controversial and may depend on the indication for the procedure. The ability to predict traversal of the extraperitoneal plane of fixation ("bare area") between the liver and gallbladder with a transhepatic approach was investigated. With sonographic guidance, 21 transhepatic catheterizations were attempted: 19 in cadavers and two in patients who subsequently underwent cholecystectomy. In all cases, 8-F or 5-F self-retaining catheters were used. At autopsy or surgery, the catheter course and gallbladder puncture site were evaluated. Of 21 punctures, 19 (90%) were transhepatic and two (10%) were transperitoneal. Among the 19 transhepatic punctures, eight catheters (42%) traversed the bare area, while 11 (58%) entered the free gallbladder wall adjacent to the serosal attachment. There were four instances of guide-wire dislodgment during catheter placement; all occurred following puncture of the free wall of the gallbladder. No guide-wire dislodgment occurred when the bare area was transversed. Transhepatic gallbladder puncture does not prevent puncture of the free gallbladder surface. However, the liver and bare area do seem to provide guide-wire stability during catheter placement.

Percutaneous dissolution of gallstones

Contact dissolution with MTBE is an effective and safe method to treat symptomatic patients with cholesterol gallstones. Personnel, time, and safety factors have limited widespread use of the procedure. With current competing methods to treat gallstones, it is likely that MTBE use will be reserved for those patients who elect percutaneous therapy due to fear of surgery or anesthesia and in those elderly patients who are compromised by underlying medical conditions.

Percutaneous interventional gallbladder procedures: personal experience and literature review

Our experience with 58 percutaneous gallbladder procedures in 48 patients are discussed. Diagnostic procedures consisted of needle aspiration of bile (n = 5) to evaluate the gallbladder as a source of infections and transcholecystic cholangiography (TCC) (n = 32) for bile duct visualization. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) (n = 21) was performed for gallbladder or bile duct decompression or stone dissolution. Ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance were used, and the procedures were successful in all but one patient. The overall complication rate was 13.8% (8/58 procedures) but only 5.2% were considered serious (three instances of bile peritonitis). No vasovagal reactions or hemorrhage occurred. We also reviewed the complications in 231 cases of PC that have been reported in the English literature. The overall complication rate was 7.8%, and the most significant problems were death (n = 1), peritonitis (n = 3), and severe vasovagal reactions (n = 4).