Percutaneous Cholecystostomy in Severe Acute Cholecystitis: An Observational Study From a Single Institute

Background Although percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is generally accepted as a bridge to definitive therapy for acute cholecystitis (AC), which remains cholecystectomy, some patients did not undergo cholecystectomy, mainly due to contraindications to surgery. Here, we aimed to investigate the predictors of recurrence and the outcome after PC. Methods This is a retrospective study from a single general hospital at Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom. One hundred twenty-six patients who presented with AC grade 3 and were initially managed with PC were included. In addition, the proportion of patients who did not undergo subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and their characteristics were analyzed. Results The mean age of the study cohort was 72 (36-98) years, and the median length of drain insertion was 39.5 days. The majority (52%) presented with severe AC grade 3 with failed medical treatment to control the disease, while 7% had an emphysematous gallbladder. Eighty percent of patients did not develop any further attacks of AC after PC removal. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (35%). The mean age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity score was 3.72. Thirty-six percent (45/126) of the study cohort underwent LC, while the remaining patients did not receive any surgical intervention. Nine percent were deemed unfit for surgery. Forty-one patients (33%) were managed conservatively as they did not have a further attack of cholecystitis after PC removal or had a mild attack managed with antibiotics. In addition, 22% experienced procedural complications, including a blocked stent, pain, and cellulitis around the tube. The 30-day mortality rate of patients who did not undergo LC was 5%. Predictors of interval cholecystectomy were younger age, calculus cholecystitis, low Charslson index score, and uncomplicated and shorter length of hospital stay with PC. Conclusion Most severe AC patients treated initially with PC did not undergo subsequent LC. Therefore, PC in high-surgical-risk patients with AC could be a definitive treatment.