2020 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 628-639
The use of long-term endoscopic gallbladder stents (EGBS) has recently reported to prevent recurrence of acute cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients. However, many points require clarification. We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent EGBS placement and followed up those who underwent long-term stenting (EGBS group; n=30) and those in whom the stent was removed (removal group; n=10). The median event-free survival time was significantly longer in the EGBS group than in the removal group (870 days vs. 166 days; P = 0.043). Recurrence of symptoms was not observed in the EGBS group less than a year and the proportion of recurrence was significantly lower in the EGBS group (7% vs. 50%; P = 0.006). Late complications occurred in six cases (20%) in the EGBS group (five complications occurred after one year with three deaths). Long-term EGBS is considered to be effective in preventing recurrence of cholecystitis. However, late complications, including death, have been observed. It is thus recommended to replace the stent yearly.
