Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided endoluminal drainage of the gallbladder

For patients with acute cholecystitis who are not suitable for surgery, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided endoluminal drainage of the gallbladder (EUS‐GBD) has been developed to overcome the limitations of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage when endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage is not feasible. In the present review we have summarized the studies describing EUS‐GBD. Indications, techniques, accessories, endoprostheses, limitations and complications reported in the different studies are discussed. There were 90 documented cases in the literature. The overall reported technical success rate was 87/90 (96.7%). All patients with technical success were clinically successful. A total of 11/90 (12.2%) patients had complications including pneumoperitoneum, bile peritonitis and stent migration. The advantage of EUS‐GBD is its ability to provide gallbladder drainage especially in situations where percutaneous or transpapillary drainage is not feasible or is technically challenging. It also provides the option of internal drainage and the ability to carry out therapeutic maneuvers via cholecystoscopy.     

Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) for the treatment of acute cholecystitis

We performed endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) in 21 patients with acute cholecystitis, utilizing a guidewire coated with a hydrophilic polymer. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was not performed. The clinical efficacy of ETGBD was evaluated in terms of reduction of white blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. ETGBD was successful in 17 (81%) of the 21 patients, in terms of early disappearance of clinical symptoms, and significant decrease of both WBC and CRP after ETGBD (P< 0.001). In patients with the Mirizzi syndrome (n=2), accurate diagnosis was made by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), facilitating proper drainage (ETGBD) immediately afterward. With ETGBD, emergency operation was avoided even in critically ill patients complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (n=2). There were no significant complications. ETGBD may be an effective and safe alternative to percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in the management of acute cholecystitis, and may be more suitable for patients with a strong bleeding tendency.     

Endoscopic stent insertion into the gallbladder for symptomatic gallbladder disease in patients with end-stage liver disease

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic stent insertion into the gallbladder entails placement of a double-pigtail polyethylene stent between the gallbladder and the duodenum at ERCP. This procedure may be an effective temporary measure in patients with severe comorbid conditions, especially end-stage liver disease, that subsequently allows more definitive therapy, including liver transplantation. METHODS: The records for 29 patients who underwent attempted endoscopic gallbladder stent insertion between May 1999 and May 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 47 years; 86% of the patients were listed for liver transplantation, with a mean model for end-stage liver disease score of 15; 72% had Child's class B cirrhosis. Indications for gallbladder stent placement included recurrent biliary colic (69%), acute cholecystitis (17%), acalculous cholecystitis (7%), and gallstone pancreatitis (7%). Of the 29 patients who underwent ERCP, stent placement was successful in 26 (90%). Median follow-up was 9.4 months (range 0.1-40.5 months). Of those who had a stent placed, 6 (22%) subsequently underwent liver transplantation and another 15 (56%) were alive, most awaiting liver transplantation. Only 3 patients had late a complication or recurrence of biliary symptoms after stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stent placement in the gallbladder is a safe and an effective palliative treatment for patients with symptoms caused by gallbladder disease who are poor surgical candidates.     

Endoscopic ultrasound gallbladder drainage: Patient selection,preparation, and performance

Acute cholecystitis is a common cause of hospital admissions and can result in critically ill patients. For those patients not amenable to cholecystectomy, endoscopic drainage via transpapillary cystic duct stenting or transmural drainage offers a temporizing method for urgent gallbladder decompression. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and the development of novel lumen apposing metal stents can allow for more permanent drainage with comparable outcomes to percutaneous transhepatic catheters. The merits of this approach including the technical and clinical advantages of EUS-guided drainage are discussed further in this review article.     

经内镜乳头胆囊引流术治疗Mirizzi综合征并发梗阻性化脓性胆囊炎

目的探讨经内镜乳头胆囊引流术治疗Mirizzi综合征患者并发梗阻性化脓性胆囊炎的临床意义。方法回顾性总结8例患者的临床资料。8例患者均有急性右上腹痛,Murphy征阳性,经影像学和ERCP诊断为Mirizzi综合征Csendes分型Ⅰ型,胆道结石合并梗阻性化脓性胆囊炎。治疗方法为经内镜ERCP取石及相应治疗,继之行经乳头鼻胆囊引流术。结果8例均经内镜成功完成取石及鼻胆囊引流术,未发生并发症及死亡。术后患者胆囊区疼痛均明显缓解,体温、白细胞逐步恢复正常;1周后影像学检查显示胆囊及周围炎症明显好转或消失。6个月时随访,2例患者偶有胆囊区不适感。结论Mirizzi综合征的内镜取石治疗疗效确切,经内镜乳头胆囊引流术治疗其伴发的梗阻性急性化脓性胆囊炎在迅速缓解感染、减轻临床体征方面具有重要的作用。     

Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis: From evidence to practice

With the evolution of the linear echoendoscope and the improved ability to direct a needle within the field of interest, the therapeutic potential of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has greatly expanded. Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided transmural gallbladder drainage (EUS‐GBD) may be the next frontier for therapeutic EUS. Since EUS‐GBD was first described in 2007, recent reports have suggested it as an alternative to external gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis. EUS‐GBD includes EUS‐guided transmural nasogallbladder drainage, EUS‐guided gallbladder aspiration, and EUS‐guided transmural gallbladder stenting. Indications for the EUS‐GBD technique as currently practiced, including equipment, technical details, complications, and efficacy are herein reviewed.     

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage: Current status and future prospects

Early surgical treatment using the laparoscopic approach is generally accepted as the treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis (AC) according to Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG2018). If the patient is a poor candidate for surgery because of the presence of advanced malignancy or severe organ failure, this treatment may be too invasive. In such cases, gallbladder drainage is considered an alternative treatment method to surgery. Several drainage methods have been established, such as percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) or endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), including endoscopic naso‐gallbladder drainage (ENGBD) and endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS). PTGBD is a well‐established procedure that is relatively easily carried out by general clinicians. And ETGBD has been developed as an alternative drainage method. The procedure also calls for guidewire passage across the cystic duct. Therefore, in AC cases who are contraindicated for surgery, PTGBD should be considered before ETGBD, and ETGBD may be considered only in high‐volume institutes where expert hands are available, as described in the TG2018. However, there are several limitations to these procedures. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gallbladder drainage (EUS‐GBD) is increasingly being done as an alternative method to PTGBD and ETGBD. In this review, the current status and problems of EUS‐GBD are reviewed, including technical review and clinical data of previous papers, current indication, long‐term outcome, and comparison data with PTGBD or ETGBD, and their future prospects are discussed.     

Endoscopic gallbladder stent placement for treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis in patients with end-stage liver disease

OBJECTIVES: Symptomatic cholelithiasis is a common disease in the general population with an increased prevalence in patients with cirrhosis. While cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice for the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis, cirrhotics have an increased risk of complications associated with this therapy. We have found that placement of an endoscopic gallbladder stent is an alternative, less invasive treatment for cirrhotic patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease and describe our experience here. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 23 patients with cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with gallbladder stent placement for symptomatic gallbladder disease from July 1994 to August 2004. RESULTS: Indications for stent placement included recurrent biliary colic (56.5%), acute calculous cholecystitis (39%), acalculous cholecystitis (8.6%), and gallstone pancreatitis (8.6%). All patients experienced resolution of their symptoms following stent placement. Twenty patients (87%) were asymptomatic from 5 days to 3 years post-procedure until transplantation, death, or end of study period. Nine patients (39%) underwent liver transplantation, 5 days to 34 months after the procedure. Eleven patients are well, with ten patients awaiting liver transplantation. Three patients developed late complications and were treated successfully with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic stenting of the gallbladder may be a potential treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease in patients with cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation, considered to be high-risk for cholecystectomy.