[A clinical evaluation of the indications and utility of percutaneous gallbladder drainage]

Percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGD) was performed in 78 patients with diseases of the bile duct system and pancreas, including 48 patients with acute cholecystitis. The procedure was utilized for the treatment of acute inflammation and obstructive jaundice, and this study was initiated to evaluate its utility and the potential indications. Following PGD, the inflammatory changes improved, and the clinical symptoms subsided, especially in cases of acute cholecystitis, in which it appears to have an excellent therapeutic value. Compared to cases of acute cholecystitis treated without PGD and used as controls, the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. Ultrasonographic findings, including signs of gallbladder swelling, thickening of the gallbladder wall, and as sonolucent layer in the wall were shown to be useful as positive indicators for the use of PGD. PGD also effective in cases of acute cholangitis, and cases of obstructive jaundice in which therapy was difficult using other bile drainage methods. PGD was also useful in establishing a visualization of the gallbladder and for cytological sampling of the bile in cases with negative cholecystography.