Successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement

Interval cholecystectomy (IC) after percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) placement is the definitive treatment for cholecystitis in patients who are operative candidates after optimization of medical comorbidities. It is not clear, however, which patients will be able to have a laparoscopic IC after PCT placement. We aimed to identify factors associated with successful laparoscopic IC in these patients.

This is a retrospective review of patients who had a PCT from 2009 to 2011. Patient's baseline demographics, clinical data, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable comparisons were performed between patients who did and did not undergo IC. A subgroup analysis of patients who had laparoscopic IC and open IC was performed. Data are presented as percentages, medians with interquartile ranges (IQRs), or odds ratios with 95% confidence interval as appropriate.

A total of 245 patients had PCT placement, with a median age of 71 years (IQR, 59-80 years); 63% were male, of whom 72 (29%) underwent IC. The median time from PCT placement to IC was 55 days (IQR, 42-75 days). IC patients had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (5 [4-6] vs. 6 [4-8], p = 0.005) at the time of PCT placement. When controlling for other factors, lower Charlson Comorbidity Index and fewer previous abdominal operations were associated with performance of IC. Laparoscopic surgery was planned for 89% of the patients and completed successfully in 78%. The only factor associated with successful laparoscopic IC was fewer previous abdominal operations.

Patients who have been medically optimized following PCT can undergo laparoscopic IC with a high rate of success. The degree of illness at the time of PCT placement did not seem to influence the rate of success of laparoscopic IC.

Therapeutic/care management study, level III.