Role of percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis: clinical outcomes of 271 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the outcomes of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC).

METHODS: The study population comprised 271 patients (mean age, 72 years; range, 22-97 years, male, n=169) with AAC treated with PC with or without subsequent cholecystectomy. Clinical data from total 271 patients were analysed, and outcomes were assessed according to whether the catheter was removed or remained indwelling. Patient survival and recurrence rates were calculated.

RESULTS: Symptom resolution and significant improvement of laboratory test values were achieved in 235 patients (86.7%) within 4 days after PC. Complications occurred in six patients (2.2%). Interval elective cholecystectomy was performed in 127 (46.8%) patients. Among the remaining 121 patients, successful removal of the PC catheter was achieved in 88 patients (72.7%) at a mean of 30 days (range, 4-365 days). Of the catheter removal group, 86/88 (97.7%) were successfully treated with the initial PC, whereas two (2.3%) experienced recurrence of cholecystitis. Cumulative recurrence rates were 1.1%, 2.7%, and 2.7% at 1, 2, and 8 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The good therapeutic outcomes of PC and low recurrence rate suggest that PC can be a definitive treatment option in the majority of AAC patients.

KEY POINTS: • Many patients with AAC are too ill to undergo cholecystectomy. • PC in AAC patients shows low complication and recurrence rate. • PC solely can be a definitive treatment option in the majority of AAC patients.