Clinical and operative outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis who are treated initially with image-guided cholecystostomy

An Analysis of Outcomes and Management Strategies for Patients With Cholecystostomy Tubes

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) drainage is an effective management strategy for acute cholecystitis in patients medically unfit for surgery. However, little is known about the fate of patients managed by PCT. We conducted this study to determine tube management outcomes for patients with acute cholecystitis managed by PCT.

METHODS

The electronic record was queried to identify patients with acute cholecystitis managed by PCT from 2012-2020. Patients were divided into three groups for analysis: 1) ultimately managed by cholecystectomy, 2) eventual confirmation of distal flow of bile from the gallbladder and tube removal, and 3) tubes left in place without further management.

RESULTS

A total of 179 patients with acute cholecystitis treated by PCT were included. Sixty-six patients never fully recovered from the medical insult associated with their diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and had their tubes left in situ. Sixty-four of these 66 patients (97%) died during follow-up. The remaining 113 patients recovered from their illness and presented to clinic for evaluation for tube removal and/or cholecystectomy. When distal biliary flow was confirmed, tube removal was favored (n = 70). When cystic duct outflow occlusion persisted, cholecystectomy was planned for patients who became acceptable surgical candidates (n = 43). For patients managed by cholecystectomy, 8 were approached open and 35 laparoscopically, with 12 of 35 (34.3%) converted to open and 23 (65.7%) completed laparoscopically.

CONCLUSION

Our study favors PCT removal for patients who recover from their acute illness when distal bile flow from the gallbladder is confirmed. We reserve cholecystectomy for patients who recover from their illness and demonstrate persistent cystic duct outflow obstruction.

Multi-institutional Retrospective Study of Percutaneous Cholangioscopy-Assisted Lithotripsy for Inoperable Calculous Cholecystitis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous lithotripsy for gallstone eradication in patients with calculous cholecystitis with stones >1 cm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multi-institutional institutional review board approved retrospective review of patients who presented with calculous cholecystitis and were not determined to be surgical candidates. All patients underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement for acute infection, which was later exchanged for a large sheath for ShockPulse (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) lithotripsy and stone destruction. Review parameters included procedural technical and clinical data, including clinical presentation, mean length of hospital stay, and postintervention symptom reduction.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (mean age, 74.6 years; range, 52-94 years; 6 men and 6 women) underwent large-bore sheath (24-30 F) cholangioscopy-assisted gallstone destruction via rigid lithotripsy. The size of the gallstones ranged from 1.2 to 4.0 cm. All patients had prior cholecystostomy access for a mean of 25 weeks before gallstone extraction to ensure tract maturation via transhepatic or transperitoneal access. The technical success rate in single-session stone removal was 100%, with no major procedure-related adverse events. All patients were symptom- and pain-free after the procedure. The mean procedure time was 111.5 minutes, and the mean fluoroscopy time was 19.2 minutes. The median length of hospital stay was 1 day after the procedure. The mean time from percutaneous lithotripsy to biliary tube removal was 35 days (range, 17-45 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous rigid lithotripsy is a safe and effective procedure for gallstone destruction and extraction in patients who are poor surgical candidates with large lumen-occupying cholelithiasis.

Persistent acute cholecystitis after cholecystostomy - increased mortality due to treatment approach?

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is a treatment option for acute cholecystitis (AC) in cases where cholecystectomy (CCY) is not feasible due to limited health conditions. The use of PC remains questionable. The aim was to retrospectively analyse the outcome of patients after PC.

METHODS

All patients who underwent PC for AC at a tertiary referral hospital over 10 years were included. Descriptive statistics, analysed mortality with and without CCY after PC, and a multivariable logistic regression for potential confounder and a landmark sensitivity analysis for immortal time bias were used.

RESULTS

Of 158 patients, 79 were treated with PC alone and 79 had PC with subsequent CCY. Without CCY, 48% (38 patients) died compared to 9% with CCY. In the multivariable analysis CCY was associated with 85% lower risk of mortality. The landmark analysis was compatible with the main analyses. Direct PC-complications occurred in 17% patients. Histologically, 22/75 (29%) specimens showed chronic cholecystitis, and 76% AC.

CONCLUSION

Due to the high mortality rate of PC alone, performing up-front CCY is proposed. PC represents no definitive treatment for AC and should remain a short-term solution because of the persistent inflammatory focus. According to these findings, almost all specimens showed persistent inflammation.

Managing Gallstone Disease in the Elderly

Geriatric patients tend to have subtle presentations of biliary disorders and, if untreated, can decompensate acutely. Each biliary disorder warrants formulation of an individualized treatment plan with a multidisciplinary approach. Acute cholecystitis, a common complication of gallstones, is initially managed by conservative measures and subsequently, among patients with optimal surgical risk, through laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. High-risk patients undergo temporization, percutaneous or endoscopic, followed by definitive intervention. Acute cholecystitis with complications (ie, perforation, gangrene, or small bowel obstruction) warrants emergent cholecystectomy. Gallstone migration into the biliary system can cause choledocholithiasis, often complicated by biliary pancreatitis or cholangitis if not intervened. Therapy for choledocholithiasis is based on biliary clearance through endoscopic and, infrequently, surgical approaches.

Evidence-Based Management of Calculous Biliary Disease for the Acute Care Surgeon

Background: Gallstones and cholecystitis are common clinical problems. There is a wide spectrum of disease severity, from rare symptoms of biliary colic to severe cholecystitis with marked gallbladder infection and inflammation that can cause life-threatening sepsis. The care of such patients is similarly varied and multi-disciplinary. Despite the prevalence of cholecystitis, there remain questions about how to manage patients appropriately. Methods: A multi-disciplinary team created institutional cholecystitis guidelines, and supporting evidence was compiled for review. Results: Even in "routine" cholecystitis, patient triage and work-up can be variable, resulting in unnecessary tests and delay to cholecystectomy. Beyond this, there are new treatment options available that may serve special populations particularly well, although the appropriate pattern of emerging endoscopic and percutaneous treatment modalities is not well defined. Conclusions: This review outlines evidence-based management of cholecystitis from diagnosis to treatment with a focused discussion of special populations and emerging therapies.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy - An option in selected patients with acute cholecystitis

While urgent percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) was introduced as an alternative to acute surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC), the current place of PC in the treatment algorithm for AC is challenged. We evaluate demographics and outcomes of PC in routine clinical practice in a population-based cohort.Retrospective evaluation of consecutive patients treated with PC for AC between 2000 and 2015. The severity of cholecystitis was graded according to the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines.One hundred forty-nine patients were included (82; 55% males) (median age of 72.5 years; range, 21-92). The Tokyo Guidelines criteria of 2013 (TG13) severity grade distribution was 4%, 61.7%, and 34.2% for grades I, II, and III, respectively. No difference was observed between males and females with regard to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, comorbidities, or previous history of cholecystitis. PC was successfully performed in all but 1 patient, and complications were few and minor. Less than half (48.3%) of all patients subsequently received definitive surgical treatment, mostly (83.3%) laparoscopy. No or minor complications were encountered in 58 (80.6%) patients. Operated patients were significantly younger (P = <.001) and had lower ASA scores (P = .005), less comorbidities (P < .001), and had more seldomly a severe grade 3 cholecystitis (P < .001) than non-operated patients.PC is useful in selected patients with AC. However, since only a half of the patients eventually received definitive surgical treatment, a better routine decision-making based on proper criteria may enable an improved allocation of the individual patient for tailored treatment according to the disease severity, the patient's comorbidity burden, and also to the treatment options available at the institution to prevent overutilization of a non-definitive treatment approach. Comprehension of this responsibility should be acknowledged by hospitals with an emergency surgical service, although the clinical decision-making remains a challenge of the responsible surgeon on call.

Short- and long-term outcomes of percutaneous cholecystostomy in an Australian population

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is a well-recognized management option for the treatment of acute cholecystitis (AC) in high-risk patients. Patient characteristics, efficacy and particularly the longer-term outcomes for patients having PC across the Hunter New England Local Health District were analysed.

METHODS

A retrospective audit from January 2013 to September 2017 was undertaken. Patients were followed up until September 2019. All were retrospectively risk assessed using the P-POSSUM risk assessment tool, complications and mortality were recorded. In addition to short-term data, longer-term outcomes including patient's living situation at 6 and 12 months were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients were assessed at ≥12 months post procedure or until death. Successful initial gallbladder drainage was achieved in 99% of cases. The mean P-POSSUM score for mortality was 11%, confirming that this is a high-risk group; 17% had inpatient complications recorded; 10% of these were major (Clavien-Dindo ≥III). Outpatient complications were seen in 45%, 59% underwent further biliary tree intervention and 24% had recurrent AC. Thirty-day mortality was 12% and 1-year mortality was 22%. Functional capacity changed significantly for 41% of patients at 1 year, with 12% requiring a new admission to high-level nursing home care.

CONCLUSION

Our series represents the largest reported Australasian series of PC for AC published to date. It confirms that PC is well-established and safe in high-risk patients. However, further intervention rates and recurrence rates of AC are high and escalation of dependency of care affects almost half of patients.

Relationship between clinical and histopathological features of patients undergoing cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Cholelithiasis is most common disease of the gallbladder and cholecystectomy is the one of the most performed surgical procedure worldwide.

AIM

To assess the relationship between the demographic, biochemical, and histopathological variables of patients who underwent cholecystectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Demographic, biochemical, and histopathological data of 5077 patients undergoing cholecystectomy were compared in terms of two different aspects: open cholecystectomy (OC group; n = 2090) versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group; n = 2987), and an elective group (n = 4814) versus an emergency group (n = 263).

RESULTS

A total of 5077 patients aged between 13 and 97 years were included in the study. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, mean platelet volume, and prevalence of acute/chronic cholecystitis were significantly higher in the LC group than in the OC group. On the other hand, age, direct bilirubin level, thrombocyte count, and prevalence of gallbladder cancer/gangrenous cholecystitis were significantly higher in the OC group than in the LC group. Levels of AST, ALT, white blood cells, neutrophils, and some prevalence of acute/chronic active cholecystitis were higher in the emergency group than in the elective group. On the other hand, the lymphocyte count and prevalence of chronic cholecystitis/hyperplastic polyps were higher in the elective group than in the emergency group. Histopathological analysis identified 32 patients with malignant gallbladder cancer as follows: adenocarcinoma (n = 21), mucinous adenocarcinoma (n = 3), papillary adenocarcinoma (n = 3), adenosquamous carcinoma (n = 1), clear cell adenocarcinoma (n = 2), squamous carcinoma (n = 1), and hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Even when the appearance of gallbladder specimens is normal, histopathological assessment allows for early diagnosis of many unusual findings such as gallbladder cancer.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy as treatment for acute cholecystitis: What has happened over the last five years? A literature review

Acute cholecystitis is one of the most frequent diseases faced by the general surgeon. In recent decades, different prognostic factors have been observed, and effective treatments described, to improve the results in patients with said pathology (lower morbidity and mortality, shorter hospital stay, and minimum conversion of laparoscopic to open procedures). In general, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for acute cholecystitis, but it is not exempt from complications, especially in patients with numerous comorbidities or those that are critically ill. Percutaneous cholecystostomy emerged as a less invasive alternative for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in patients with organ failure or a prohibitive surgical risk. Even though it is an effective procedure, its usefulness and precise indications are subjects of debate. In addition, there is little evidence on cholecystostomy catheter management. We carried out a review of the literature covering the main aspects physicians involved in the management of acute cholecystitis should be familiar with.

[Percutaneous biliary and gallbladder interventions]

CLINICAL ISSUE

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary and gall bladder interventions play an important role in the diagnosis and therapy of biliary tract diseases.

PERFORMANCE

With technical success rates up to 99% as well as complications rates up to a maximum of 26% they showed good results. Indications were opacification of the biliary tree as well as treatment of biliary system pathologies, such as drainage and stents.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Interventions were used if endoscopic approaches are not possible or exploited. We describe the current state of knowledge and the range for percutaneous biliary/gall bladder interventions and give an overview of technical approaches for fundamental interventional procedures, including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary and gall bladder interventions are safe and effective treatments for benign and malignant stenosis, postoperative complications and risk patients with cholecystitis.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided gallbladder drainage - is it ready for prime time?

Management of acute cholecystitis includes initial stabilization and antibiotics. However, the most definitive treatment is cholecystectomy. A small percentage of patients who are not suitable for surgery due to the severity of cholecystitis or comorbidities will require a temporary measure as a bridge to surgery or permanent nonoperative management to decrease the mortality and morbidity. Most of these patients who require conservative management were managed with percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy or trans-papillary drainage of gallbladder drainage with cystic duct stenting through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP). Although, these conservative measures are effective, they can cause significant discomfort to the patients especially if used as a long-term measure. In view of this, there is a need for further minimally invasive procedures, which is safe, effective and comfortable to patients. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided gallbladder drainage is a novel method of gallbladder drainage first described in 2007^[1]. Over the last decade, EUS guided gallbladder drainage has evolved as an effective alternative to percutaneous cholecystostomy and trans-papillary gallbladder drainage. Our goal is to review available literature regarding the scope of EUS guided gallbladder drainage as a viable alternative to percutaneous cholecystostomy or cystic duct stenting through ERCP among patients who are not suitable for cholecystectomy.

[Radiologic diagnosis of the gallbladder and bile ducts - part 2 : Acute and chronic cholecystitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), benign and malignant masses of the biliary system]

Upper abdominal pain, icterus and cholestasis are the symptoms leading to evaluation of the biliary tract. Together with its complications biliary stone disease is the main reason for inflammation of the biliary system. A distinction is made between acute and chronic variants. In chronic bile duct inflammation primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and more recently IgG4-associated sclerosing cholangitis are of particular importance. Besides benign and tumor-like-lesions, malignant entities as gallbladder carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) in its three locations have to be mentioned. Despite all recent improvements, specificity of bile-tract imaging still remains limited, especially regarding malignant masses. Therefore the final diagnosis is made in many cases by histological analysis.