Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage for the treatment of acute severe cholecystitis: initial experience in 15 patients

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of DSA-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage (PTGCD) in treating aged patients with acute cholecystitis complicated by severe diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 15 aged patients with acute cholecystitis or complicated by severe diseases, who were encountered at authors' hospital in the past three years and were treated with PTGCD, were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical results were discussed. Results: PTGCD was successfully accomplished with single procedure in all 15 patients. Abdominal pain was relieved within one to three days, and the abdominal symptoms and signs subsided or disappeared. Reexamination of routine blood test showed that the white blood cell count decreased to normal range in 1-2 weeks, and complete cure was achieved in some patients. Secondary surgery was carried out in some patients after the clinical condition was improved. During the follow-up period no complications occurred in all patients except one who developed biliary leakage after the catheter was retrieved two weeks after the treatment. Conclusion: For the treatment of complicated acute cholecystitis in aged patients who are not suitable to receive surgery, DSA-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage is an ideal therapeutic means as it can significantly relieve clinical symptoms. (authors)