Percutaneous extraction of gallstones in 20 patients

Percutaneous cholecystolithotomy (PCL) was accomplished successfully without general anesthesia in 17 of 20 consecutive symptomatic patients from an outpatient gallstone center who were at risk for or had refused cholecystectomy. The other three patients underwent cholecystectomy because of a gallbladder collapse before admission, a tight stone-bearing phrygian cap, and a cannula slippage, respectively. A subhepatic approach was preferentially used after the fundus of the gallbladder was stabilized with a percutaneous anchor to prevent invagination and bile leakage. Retrograde slippage of the anchor into the tract in the first six patients was remedied by elongating the anchor from 2 to 3 cm. Calculi were removed in one session (11 patients) or two consecutive sessions (six patients). Morbidity included rehospitalization for stitch infection (n = 1) and dehydration (n = 1), cannula slippage (n = 1), broken guide wire (n = 1), vasovagal reaction (n = 1), and unextractable anchors (n = 3). Gallbladder endoscopy enabled identification of stones not visible at cholecystography. Hospitalization lasted 3-5 days; outpatient gallbladder drains were removed in 2-3 weeks in 10 patients and 4-6 weeks in seven (older) patients. No retained stones were seen at 6 months. The authors recommend PCL for patients at risk for surgery.