Percutaneous gallbladder drainage in acute cholecystitis patients

Purpose To evaluate the procedural technique, clinical efficacy and complications of percutaneous gall bladder drainage (percutaneous cholecystostomy) for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in high-risk patients. Material and Methods From June 2015 to January 2017, a total of 58 acute cholecystitis in high-risk patients (26 men, 32 women) who underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy were retrospectively evaluated. Results Percutaneous cholecystostomy was successfully performed in 57 patients (98.3%) with acute cholecystitis. Major complications (peritonitis and hemorrhage) occurred in 4 patients (6.9%). The average duration of catheter drainage was 26,4 days (range, 1-55 days). Elective cholecystectomy was performed in 35 (60.3%) of 58 patients at 7 weeks. In-hospital mortality rate was 10.3% (6 of 58 patients) in 30 days. Conclusion Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an effective and safe procedure for high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis. The procedure is minimally invasive, and the complication rate of percutaneous cholecystostomy is low