Abstract
We retrospectively studied the efficacy and problems of endoscopic naso-gallbladder drainage (ENGBD) for acute cholecystitis in 56 patients. The technique was chosen because the patients were receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet, with bleeding tendency, or with suspected complication with gallbladder cancer, etc. Technical success was obtained in 44 of 56 (78.5%), and drainage was effectively achieved in 43 of the 44 where drain was successfully placed (97.7%). The average tube placement period before the successful drainage was 3.4 days. The complications were injury to the cystic duct, seemingly typical of ENGBD, in 2 (3.6%), besides acute pancreatitis in 1 (1.8%).
ENGBD is highly effective drainage, and can be the first-choice drainage method for those where PTGBD and PTGBA are difficult. However, the goal yet to attain is to improve the success rate of the tube placement; and further improvement of the tools and advancement of the skills are required.
