CONTRIVANCE FOR ENDOSCOPIC GALLBLADDER DRAINAGE IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS

Abstract

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is the first choice for drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis. Drainage by endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) is considered in cases in which the transhepatic procedure cannot be performed due to anticoagulant medication, existence of ascites, poor overall status, etc. However, the success rate of EGBS is still lower than that of PTGBD, and the degree of difficulty of EGBS varies according to the structure of the cystic duct. We may be able to improve the success rate of EGBS by using appropriate techniques and devices for the stent insertion procedure. If insertion is successful, the cholecystitis subsequently improves in almost all cases, and we can exchange the tube relatively easily. Thus, EGBS has the potential of becoming the treatment of choice in appropriate cases in the future.