Timing of cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis: a nationwide

Takashi Sakamoto1, Michimasa Fujiogi2, Hiroki Matsui2

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Surgery, Tokyo Bay Urayasu Ichikawa Medical Center, Chiba, Japan.

Insights

The optimal time for cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for acute cholecystitis is between 7 and 26 days. Intervals outside this range are associated with increased mortality and morbidity.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Outcomes
  • Medical Informatics

Background:

  • The ideal timing for cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) in acute cholecystitis is not well-defined.
  • PTGBD is a common temporizing measure for acute cholecystitis, but its optimal integration with definitive surgical management requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the optimal interval between PTGBD and cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.
  • To analyze the association between the PTGBD-to-cholecystectomy interval and key patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a national database including 9,256 patients who underwent cholecystectomy after PTGBD for acute cholecystitis.
  • Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were employed to model the relationship between the interval and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Reverse J-shaped associations were observed between the interval and mortality/morbidity, as well as blood transfusion rates.
  • J-shaped associations were found for duration of anesthesia and postoperative hospital stay.
  • Suboptimal intervals (e.g., ≤6 or ≥27 days for mortality/morbidity) were linked to poorer outcomes compared to optimal intervals.

Conclusions:

  • The optimal window for performing cholecystectomy after PTGBD in acute cholecystitis appears to be between 7 and 26 days.
  • Adhering to this interval may help minimize mortality, morbidity, and other adverse surgical outcomes.
Abstract

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