[Percutaneous gallbladder puncture and drainage]

The authors present their experience and results of 88 percutaneous cholecystostomies performed on 72 high-risk patients suffering from acute cholecystitis during the last 11 years. The local and general treatment resulted in total recovery in 24 cases, surgery could be abandoned. In 37 patients the improvement of their general condition made elective cholecystectomy possible. In 4 cases urgent operation became necessary because of reappearance of acute symptoms after a temporary relief. 7 patients died during the acute phase. In 51 patients out of all cases treated with long-term drainage, the gallbladder was washed out with cooled saline 2-3 times daily.