Management algorithm of acute cholecystitis after percutaneous cholecystostomy catheter placement based on outcomes

Abdulrahman Masrani1, Daniel Young2, John P Karageorgiou3

  • 1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA. a_masrani@me.com.

Insights

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is effective for acute cholecystitis (AC) treatment, offering a low complication rate. This procedure can serve as a bridge to definitive therapy, with a proposed management algorithm to guide post-PC care.

Area of Science:

  • Interventional Radiology
  • Hepatobiliary Surgery
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a common surgical emergency.
  • Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an alternative treatment for AC, especially in high-risk patients.
  • Management strategies following PC for AC require clear guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the outcomes of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) catheter placement in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC).
  • To propose a management algorithm for AC following PC catheter placement based on study outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 419 patients who underwent PC between July 2010 and September 2016 for AC.
  • Exclusion of patients undergoing PC for indications other than AC.
  • Analysis of primary outcomes (definitive AC treatment) and secondary outcomes (catheter removal, death).

Main Results:

  • 100% technical success rate for PC in 377 AC patients, with low complication rates (2.4% major, 1.6% minor).
  • Definitive treatment achieved in 31% (cholecystectomy) and 16% (percutaneous cholecystolithotomy).
  • Catheter removal without surgery occurred in 20%; 13% died with catheters in place due to comorbidities.

Conclusions:

  • Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is a safe and effective option for acute cholecystitis (AC) management.
  • PC serves as a valuable bridge to definitive treatment with a low complication profile.
  • The proposed management algorithm can guide clinical decision-making for AC patients post-PC placement.
Abstract