Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage followed by elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with moderate acute cholecystitis under antithrombotic therapy

Retrospective comparison of clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with and without coagulopathy: a single center's experience

PURPOSE

To compare the complication rate and clinical outcomes for percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in patients with or without coagulopathy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical chart of patients who underwent ultrasound-guided PC with a 8.5-F drainage tube for acute cholecystitis between November 2003 and March 2017. We divided the patients into two groups: patients with coagulopathy (international normalized ratio > 1.5 or platelet count < 50 × 109/L or with a history of anticoagulant medication in preceding 5 days) and patients without coagulopathy. Duration of drainage, duration of hospital stay, 30-day mortality and complication rates were compared between these two groups. Student's t test, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for bivariate analyses. Age, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) and sepsis-adjusted complication rates were also compared.

RESULTS

In total, 141 patients had PC (mean age was 73.3 years [SD 13.3]; range 33-96 years; 94 men and 47 women). Fifty-two patients (36.9%) had coagulopathy and 89 patients (63.1%) were without any history of coagulopathy. Hemorrhagic complication rate was 3.5% (5 out of 141 patients, including 4 with coagulopathy and 1 without). One patient with coagulopathy died due to the hemorrhage. Duration of drainage was longer in patients with coagulopathy than patients without coagulopathy (20.0 days vs. 14.8 days; P = 0.033). No significant difference was observed with regard to duration of hospital stay (32.3 days vs. 25.6 days; P = 0.103) and 30-day mortality (7.7% vs. 1.1%; P = 0.062). The overall complication rate did not significantly differ (9.6% and 11.2%; P = 0.763), nor did age, ACCI or sepsis-adjusted complications.

CONCLUSION

Clinical outcomes and complications rates after PC did not statistically differ between patients with and without coagulopathy, but there was a tendency of higher risk of hemorrhage in coagulopathy patients. Therefore, the indication of this procedure should be carefully determined.

Postoperative bleeding after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and aspiration in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy

This study aimed to investigate the bleeding risk associated with percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder interventions in patients with acute cholecystitis receiving antithrombotic therapy. In this retrospective study, 194 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder interventions for acute cholecystitis between April 2011 and April 2021 were enrolled. Patients were sorted into four groups: no prior antithrombotic therapy, discontinued antithrombotic drugs, single antithrombotic drug continued perioperatively, and multiple antithrombotic drugs continued perioperatively. The risk of postoperative bleeding after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder interventions was evaluated via multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 116 (59.8%) patients receiving antithrombotic therapy, 32 (16.5%) discontinued antithrombotic drugs before their respective procedure, 50 (25.8%) continued a single antithrombotic drug, and 34 (17.5%) continued multiple antithrombotic drugs during the perioperative period. The rates of significant and severe bleeding were 10.3% (20/194) and 3.1% (6/194), respectively. The rate of significant bleeding was significantly higher in patients who continued multiple antithrombotic drugs than in patients who received no prior antithrombotic therapy (P = 0.006). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the continuation of multiple antithrombotic drugs during the perioperative period was a risk factor for significant bleeding after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder interventions. In conclusion, the perioperative continuation of multiple antithrombotic drugs is a risk factor for postoperative bleeding after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder interventions.

Application of Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging with Indocyanine Green in the Difficult Gallbladder: A Comparative Study between Indocyanine Green-Guided Fluorescence Cholangiography and Conventional Surgery

Background: In the difficult gallbladder, the rate of bile duct injury (BDI) remains high. To lessen iatrogenic biliary injury, we attempted to utilize indocyanine green (ICG)-guided fluorescence cholangiography during surgery to illuminate the extrahepatic biliary tract. Materials and Methods: According to admission criteria, 38 patients were diagnosed with difficult gallbladder and underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). Consecutive patients who underwent ICG-assisted laparoscopic biliary surgery (n = 18, ICG group) or conventional laparoscopic biliary surgery (n = 20, white light [WL group) were enrolled in this study. ICG group received ICG fluorescent cholangiography via PTGBD tube during operation; 16 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and 2 cases of LC plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LC+LCBDE) were performed by fluorescent laparoscopy. In the WL group, 16 cases of LC, 1 case of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC), and 3 cases of LC+LCBDE were performed under white light without ICG. Result: The biliary system was successfully established in the ICG group. Compared with the WL group, the anatomy of the Calot's triangle with severe abdominal adhesion or local inflammatory edema was more clearly displayed by fluorescence. Laparoscopic surgery was completed in both groups without conversion to laparotomy. There were no significant differences in surgery-related complications (P = .232) and postoperative hospital stay (P = .074) between the two groups. However, compared with the WL group, the ICG group had less intraoperative blood loss (P = .002) and shorter operation duration (P = .006). Conclusion: ICG fluorescence cholangiography has good clinical application value in the difficult gallbladder, which can avoid iatrogenic BDI, reduce surgery-related complications and intraoperative blood loss, and shorten the duration of surgery.

The efficacy and safety of preoperative cholangiography via percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is an important procedure for initial treatment of severe acute cholecystitis (AC) that is contraindicated for early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We presented our primary experience on a new approach of cholangiography via PTGBD (PTGBD-C) for preoperative delineation of biliary anatomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 93 patients who received PTGBD followed by LC for AC, with allocation into 2 groups that were PTGBD with (PTGBD-C group, 32 patients) or without (PTGBD-N group, 61 patients) cholangiography. All the clinical data, including demographics, cholangiography findings, operations, and complications, were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Cholangiography was attempted in 32 patients with a success of 31 cases, and the most common complication was transient fever in 3 patients. PTGBD-C group of patients showed significantly less operation time (83.2 ± 22.32 vs. 106.5 ± 40.25 min, P = 0.041) and conversion rate (0 vs. 2). There was no statistical difference in terms of postoperative hospitalization and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

PTGBD-C is a feasible and safe procedure for severe AC patients with delayed LC. It has advantages of direct cholangiography, being easy to perform and cost-effective, thus should be considered for clinical usage.

Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis is feasible for patients receiving antithrombotic therapy

OBJECTIVES

Patients with acute cholecystitis receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT) have an increased risk of bleeding complications during surgery and percutaneous drainage. Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) is recommended for such cases; however, evidence is limited. To investigate this issue further, we performed a retrospective multicenter study.

METHODS

One hundred thirty patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent ETGBD were enrolled. They were divided into an ATT group (continuation of ATT on the day of the procedure and/or heparin substitution) and a Non-ATT group (discontinuation or no use of ATT). The primary outcome was bleeding complication rate, and the secondary outcomes were technical success rate, clinical success rate and total complication rate.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients were enrolled in the ATT group, and 47 were enrolled in the Non-ATT group. In the ATT group, 42.2% continued multi-agent ATT. No bleeding complications occurred in either group. There were no significant differences between the ATT and Non-ATT groups in the technical success rate (84.3% vs 89.4%, P = 0.426 respectively) or the clinical success rate (97.1% vs 100%, P = 0.259, respectively). The overall early complication rate was 3.1% (4/130): mild pancreatitis (n = 3) and cholangitis (n = 1). Stent dysfunction was found in 10.9% of patients (at 196 days on average), and the 12-month stent patency rate was 69.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference was found in the bleeding complication rate between ETGBD with and without ATT. ETGBD may be an ideal drainage method for patients with acute cholecystitis receiving ATT.

Feasibility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis patients receiving antithrombotic therapy

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) as a treatment for patients with acute cholecystitis has been shown to obtain high technical and clinical success rates and a low recurrence rate. However, the safety of EUS-GBD for patients receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT) has not been proven. The aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EUS-GBD in patients receiving ATT.

Methods

Twelve patients with acute cholecystitis associated with gallstones who were receiving antithrombotic therapy and underwent EUS-GBD were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients with grade II or III cholecystitis who had failed endoscopic transpapillary GBD (ETGBD) or developed recurrence after multiple ETGBD procedures underwent urgent drainage by EUS-GBD. The primary outcome was the rate of bleeding complications after the procedure and the secondary outcomes were the technical and clinical success rates, complications, and recurrence.

Results

Eleven (91.6%) patients underwent EUS-GBD with continuation of ATT (at least 1 agent). Five of 12 patients (41.7%) were receiving more than 1 agent for ATT. The rate of bleeding complications was 0% and the technical success rate was 100%, even though some patients had high-grade (severe) cholecystitis and/or several underlying diseases. Early complications were found in 2 (16.7%) patients. The clinical success rate was 91.7% (11/12). There were no recurrences of cholecystitis during the follow-up period (mean 261 [range 5-650] days).

Conclusions

EUS-GBD yielded high technical and clinical success rates and a low recurrence rate. No patients receiving ATT developed bleeding complications. EUS-GBD might be a good option for patients on ATT.

Current Status in the Treatment of Acute Cholecystitis Patients Receiving Antithrombotic Therapy: Is Endoscopic Drainage Feasible?- A Systematic Review

The bleeding complication risk of surgery or percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) may increase in patients with acute cholecystitis receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT). Endoscopic gallbladder drainage (EGBD) may be recommended for such patients. English articles published between 1991 and 2018 in peer-reviewed journals that discuss cholecystectomy, PTGBD, and EGBD in patients with ATT or coagulopathy were reviewed to assess the safety of the procedures, especially in terms of the bleeding complication. There were 8 studies on cholecystectomy, 3 on PTGBD, and 1 on endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) in patients receiving ATT. With respect to EGBD, 28 studies on ETGBD (including 1 study already mentioned above) and 26 studies on endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) were also analyzed. The overall bleeding complication rate in patients with ATT who underwent cholecystectomy was significantly higher than that in patients without ATT (6.5% [23/354] vs. 1.2% [26/2,224], p<0.001). However, the bleeding risk of cholecystectomy and PTGBD in patients receiving ATT was controversial. The overall technical success, clinical success, and bleeding complication rates of ETGBD vs. EUS-GBD were 84% vs. 96% (p<0.001), 92% vs. 97% (p<0.001), and 0.65% vs. 2.1% (p=0.005), respectively. One patient treated with ETGBD experienced bleeding complication among 191 patients with bleeding tendency. ETGBD may be an ideal drainage procedure for patients receiving ATT from the viewpoint of bleeding, although EUS-GBD is also efficacious.

Usability of Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging with Indocyanine Green During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage

BACKGROUND

Patients with persistent symptoms of acute cholecystitis for >72 h who cannot undergo urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) often undergo percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) and delayed LC. However, intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence with indocyanine green (ICG) has recently become available in various surgical settings. Therefore, we evaluated the usability of intraoperative fluorescence imaging with ICG for LC after PTGBD in patients with acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

The preoperative and postoperative clinical characteristics of patients who underwent LC after PTGBD were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 130 patients were reviewed. Intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging was used in 39 (30.0%) patients, and none developed adverse reactions. Patients with ICG fluorescence imaging had a significantly shorter operative time (129 ± 46 vs. 150 ± 56 min, p = 0.0455), markedly lower conversion rate (2.6% vs. 22.0%, p = 0.0017), and lower proportion of subtotal cholecystectomy (0.0% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.0359) than patients without ICG fluorescence imaging. Independent risk factors for conversion to laparotomy during LC after PTGBD were the performance of PTGBD after 48 h from onset (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.11-12.21; p = 0.0322), an unremoved PTGBD tube on LC (4.48, 1.46-15.00, p = 0.0084), and surgery without ICG (8.00, 1.28-159.47, p = 0.0231).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging produced better surgical outcomes without any adverse reactions. Early performance of PTGBD and intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging can reduce the surgical difficulties in LC after PTGBD for acute cholecystitis.

Outcomes of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis performed at a single institution

INTRODUCTION

Debate continues regarding the clinical outcomes of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) for acute cholecystitis (AC). The aim of this retrospective study was to compare clinical outcomes of ELC and DLC.

METHODS

This study consisted of 465 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for AC between January 2000 and February 2017. Patients were divided between an ELC group (patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 6 days of symptom onset, n = 288) and a DLC group (patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at least 7 days from symptom onset, n = 177), and clinical outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Operation time (105 vs 124 min), length of postoperative hospital stay (4 vs 4 days), conversion rate (1.3% vs 10.7%), bile leak (0.3% vs 3.3%), residual calculus (2.4% vs 6.7%), and readmission (1.0% vs 6.7%) were significantly better in the ELC group. A history of upper abdominal surgery, grade II or grade III AC, preoperative percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, and time between symptom onset and surgery of more than 7 days were independent risk factors for conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

ELC for AC yields more favorable clinical outcomes than DLC.

The association between bowel obstruction and the management of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in elderly patients: A population-based cohort study

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the risk of bowel events among elderly patients treated using only PTGBD (Percutaneous Gallbladder Drainage), or a cholecystectomy on its own, or PTGBD combined with a subsequent cholecystectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted with newly diagnosed cholelithiasis and cholecystitis patients who had no bowel obstruction history and were aged over 65 years during the period of January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010. These patients were placed into 3 separate study cohorts; PTGBD alone, cholecystectomy alone and PTGBD with subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with the cohort frequencies matched by age and gender. We defined the index date as the time of the initial cholelithiasis and cholecystitis diagnosis date and began observation and suspended follow-up when the patient had either withdrawn from their health insurance, developed bowel obstruction or reached the date of December 31, 2011.

RESULTS

The incidences of bowel obstruction were 24.6, 19.2 and 13.6 per 1000 person-years for PTGBD cohort, cholecystectomy cohort and PTGBD respectively, with a subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy cohort. Compared with the PTGBD cohort, (which was adjusted for age, gender, CCI score and laparotomy history), the hazard ratio of bowel obstruction was 0.77 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.59-1.00) and 0.57 (95% CI = 0.43-0.76) for the cholecystectomy cohort and PTGBD with a subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy cohort respectively.

CONCLUSION

For treatment of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in elderly patients, PTGBD with a subsequent cholecystectomy could benefit patients by providing a lower risk of ileus or intestinal obstruction.

Differentiation between gallbladder cancer with acute cholecystitis: Considerations for surgeons during emergency cholecystectomy, a cohort study

PURPOSE

Gallbladder cancer (GBCA) is an uncommon malignancy with vague and non-specific symptoms. GBCA is sometimes diagnosed after emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. We investigated the differential diagnosis between GBCA with acute cholecystitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirteen patients were diagnosed with GBCA after emergency cholecystectomy carried out for acute cholecystitis. A radiologist who was blinded to the final diagnoses retrospectively reviewed the computed tomography (CT) scans of the patients with GBCA and 25 patients with acute cholecystitis. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of these patients and compared the clinical characteristics and CT findings between patients with GBCA and those with acute cholecystitis. We also investigated the prognostic factors in patients with GBCA who underwent emergency cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

Gallbladder (GB) stones were found more often in patients with acute cholecystitis (n = 17, 68%) than in patients with GBCA (n = 7, 53.8%) (p = 0.486). Patients with GBCA showed typical GB masses or focal enhanced wall thickening when compared to diffuse wall thickening in patients with acute cholecystitis. Some GBCA patients showed irregular mural thickening and GB enhancement. Differentiating carcinoma from acute cholecystitis might sometimes not possible, but the latter group of patients had significantly lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.033) and less regional fat stranding (p = 0.047). Survival was significantly affected by aggressive tumor characteristics (lymphatic invasion [p = 0.025], depth of tumor invasion [p = 0.004]) or R0 resection (p = 0.013) rather than bile spillage (p = 0.112).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons deciding on emergency cholecystectomy for elderly patients with acute cholecystitis must suspect GBCA in patients with a low CRP level, irregular mural thickening or enhancement of GB without regional fat stranding.

Evaluating the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in an experienced center based on propensity score matching

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluates the therapeutic outcomes for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis based on the time from symptom onset to surgery.

METHODS

This study enrolled 224 patients. Patients' characteristics and operative outcomes were compared between patient groups based on the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy from symptom onset: ≤72 h versus >72 h, and ≤7 days versus ≥8 days. Then, we performed propensity score matching of 13 relevant variables, including patient demographics, examination findings, and therapeutic factors.

RESULTS

The early surgery groups (≤72 h and ≤7 days) had significantly younger patients with fewer comorbidities and a shorter duration from symptom onset to presentation before performed propensity score matching. These groups also had shorter surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and total length of stay. Other operative outcomes, including blood loss, conversion to open surgery, bile duct injury, and postoperative complications, did not significantly differ among the groups. After propensity score matching, all therapeutic outcomes, including duration of surgery, showed no significant differences in either analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In a center with sufficient experience, performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the earliest possible time after presentation was a safe therapeutic strategy for each patient with acute cholecystitis, regardless of the time from symptom onset.

Efficacy and safety of B-mode ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in elderly and high-risk patients

Background

Standards in treatment of acute cholecystitis (AC) in the elderly and high-risk patients has not been established. Our study evaluated the efficacy and safety of B-mode ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGD) in combination with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) in elderly and high-risk patients.

Methods

Our study enrolled 35 elderly and high-risk AC patients, hospitalized between January 2010 and April 2014 at the Wenzhou People's Hospital. The patients underwent B-mode ultrasound-guided PTGD and LC (PTGD + LC group). As controls, a separate group of 35 elderly and high-risk AC patients who underwent LC alone (LC group) during the same period at the same hospital were randomly selected from a pool of 186 such cases. The volume of bleeding, surgery time, postoperative length of stay, conversion rate to laparotomy and complication rates (bile leakage, bleeding, incisional hernia, incision infection, pulmonary infarction and respiratory failure) were recorded for each patient in the two groups.

Results

All patients in the PTGD + LC group successfully underwent PTGD. In the PTGD + LC group, abdominal pain in patients was relieved and leukocyte count, alkaline phosphatase level, total bilirubin and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) decreased to normal range, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels improved significantly within 72 h after treatment. All patients in the PTGD + LC group underwent LC within 6–10 weeks after PTGD. Our study revealed that PTGD + LC showed a significantly higher efficacy and safety compared to LC alone in AC treatment, as measured by the following parameters: duration of operation, postoperative length of hospital stay, volume of bleeding, conversion rate to laparotomy and complication rate (operation time of LC: 55.6 ± 23.3 min vs. 91.35 ± 25.1 min; hospitalized period after LC: 3.0 ± 1.3 d vs. 7.0 ± 1.7 d; intraoperative bleeding: 28.7 ± 15.2 ml vs. 60.38 ± 16.4 ml; conversion to laparotomy: 3 cases vs. 10 cases; complication: 3 cases vs. 8 cases; all P < 0.05 ).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that B-mode ultrasound-guided PTGD in combination with LC is superior to LC alone for treatment of AC in elderly and high-risk patients, showing multiple advantages of minimal wounding, accelerated recovery, higher safety and efficacy, and fewer complications.

Role of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration in the early management of acute cholecystitis

OBJECTIVE

Early cholecystectomy is currently the gold standard treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, the acceptability and safety of this strategy remain in dispute. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration (PTGBA) in the early management of AC in a single center.

METHODS

A total of 147 consecutive patients who were treated with PTGBA for AC from 2008 to 2012 were included in the study. The therapeutic outcomes and adverse events were evaluated.

RESULTS

A single PTGBA was adequate for 96 (65.3%) patients with AC. Of the remaining 51 patients, 43 (29.3%) showed an improvement after repeated PTGBA and/or percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD), while semi-emergency cholecystectomy was needed in eight patients. Although five patients experienced adverse events (intra-abdominal hemorrhage in two, bile leakage in two and gallbladder hemorrhage in one), no patient died of treatment-related complications. Subsequently, 87 (59.2%) patients underwent cholecystectomy after PTGBA (a single PTGBA in 48 and repeated PTGBA and/or PTGBD in 39 patients). No significant differences were observed in the conversion rate from laparoscopic surgery to open cholecystectomy, operative time or intraoperative hemorrhage volume between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated the safety and acceptability of treatment with PTGBA for AC at our center. This elective treatment strategy may be a useful alternative option in the treatment of AC.