Anatomic Feasibility of Percutaneous Cholecystoenteric Fistula Creation and Stent Insertion in Acute Cholecystitis

Percutaneous Creation of Gastrointestinal Anastomosis-An Emerging Frontier

This article discusses the percutaneous delivery and deployment of lumen-apposing metallic stents for the creation of percutaneous cholecysto-enteric anastomoses for internal drainage of the gallbladder.

A Pilot Study of Percutaneous Cholecystoenteric Anastomosis: A New Option for High-Risk Patients with Symptomatic Gallstones

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous cholecystoenteric anastomosis (PCEA) creation in patients with indwelling cholecystostomy tubes who are high-risk surgical candidates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen (male, 10; female, 4) patients with a mean age of 79 years (range, 53-92 years) with previously inserted cholecystostomy tubes underwent PCEA with the adjacent duodenum using a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) between January 2015 and October 2022. Intraprocedural adverse events and postprocedural safety and effectiveness outcomes were evaluated. Nine procedures were performed under sedation and 5 under general anesthesia.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 100% of the patients. In 12 patients (86%), the existing cholecystostomy tube was removed after the insertion of the LAMS. Three patients (21%) had a pre-existing cholecystoduodenal fistula, in which the stent was placed, and 11 (79%) underwent creation of a de novo anastomosis. The mean procedure time was 1.5 hours (range, 1-2 hours). The mean length of stay after the procedure was 2.4 days (range, 1-10 days). There were no intraprocedural adverse events. One patient with severe pre-existing cardiac comorbidities died during his postprocedural stay despite a technically successful procedure. One patient had delayed closure of the long-standing cholecystocutaneous tract.

CONCLUSIONS

Early clinical experience with PCEA using an LAMS suggests that it is a safe and effective option for the creation of internal gallbladder drainage in patients who are not candidates for surgical cholecystectomy.

Influence of Percutaneous Drainage Surgery and the Interval to Perform Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on Acute Cholecystitis through Genetic Algorithm-Based Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging

To discuss the optimal interval time between genetic algorithm-based ultrasound imaging-guided percutaneous drainage surgery (PTGD) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), 64 cholecystitis patients were selected as the research objects and evenly divided into experimental group (intelligent algorithm was adopted to recognize patients’ ultrasonic images) and control group (professional doctors carried out diagnosis). 92 acute cholecystitis patients undergoing PTGD were divided into three groups. 30 out of the 92 patients received LC within 2 months and were defined as the early group. 32 were performed with LC within 2 to 4 months and were defined as the metaphase group. 28 underwent LC over 4 months and were defined as the late-stage group. The average operation time, the transition from LC to laparotomy, the average postoperative hospital stay, and the incidence of complications of the three groups were compared. The results revealed that the comparison of the diagnostic accuracy and comprehensive effectiveness between experimental group and control group demonstrated that the differences were statistically significant ( $P<0.05$ ). When the optimal interval of implementing LC after PTGD was realized, the corresponding values of the early group were 88.5 minutes, 16.67%, 8.13 days, and 13.75%. Those of the metaphase group were 49.91 minutes, 3.13%, 4.97 days, and 9.52%. Those of the late stage group were 68.78 minutes, 10.71%, 7.09 days, and 11.96%. To sum up, the diagnostic accuracy and comprehensive effectiveness of intelligent algorithm were higher than those of conventional ultrasound, and the optimal interval time of implementing LC after PTGD was 2 to 4 months.

An alternative percutaneous technique for gallbladder drainage using lumen-apposing metal stents

BACKGROUND

Cholecystostomy is commonly performed in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis. However, internal drainage may be more desirable in patients as it is associated with lower complication rates. This paper describes an image-guided, percutaneous technique for internal gallbladder drainage using a covered lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) and assesses its feasibility and safety in a porcine model.

METHODS

Procedures were performed on 30-kg pigs. Under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, a percutaneous puncture was performed through-and-through the gallbladder into the stomach. A guidewire was placed and a 12Fr sheath was advanced through which a 10-mm LAMS was deployed. Its distal flange was deployed in the gastric lumen, and its proximal flange in the gallbladder. The cholecystoenteric anastomosis was examined by means of endoscopy, laparoscopy, and necropsy.

RESULTS

Technical success was 100% (7/7). Procedure times decreased with experience and improvements in technique (median: 22 min). Contrast injection demonstrated free flow through the stent with no leakage. Necropsy confirmed appropriate stent position with good apposition of gallbladder and stomach, and no intraprocedural complications were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Image-guided, percutaneous, internal gallbladder drainage using a LAMS is safe and feasible in a porcine model. This technique may be an alternative to endoscopic ultrasound-guided stent placement and external cholecystostomy tube drainage.