Abstract
Background Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy has
been established as the best treatment for acute cholecystitis.
However, conservative treatment is advocated for high-risk
patients. Failure of conservative treatment can result in highrisk
operations with relatively high rates of operative morbidity.
Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a good option for
these patients. Recently, percutaneous aspiration of the gall
bladder without drain has been described.
Methods A protocol of initial conservative management
in high-operative-risk patients admitted with acute cholecystitis
was prospectively assessed. Patients who did not
respond to antibiotics were treated with percutaneous transhepatic
aspiration of the gall bladder under ultrasound
guidance. Following discharge, the patients were seen in
the outpatient clinic and elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
was considered and scheduled as necessary.
Results Between January 2011 and December 2012, 33
patients with persistent clinical and sonographic signs of
acute cholecystitis after failure of initial antibiotic treatment
underwent gall bladder aspiration under ultrasound
guidance. No complications related to the procedure were
reported. In 25 patients (76 %), the procedure was successful
and they were discharged. Seven patients needed
repeated aspiration. Eight patients (24 %) who did not
improve underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy and
were discharged with a drain and later reevaluated for
elective surgery. The mean hospital stay of patients with
successful aspiration was 3 days. During the follow-up
period, 23 patients underwent elective interval laparoscopic
cholecystectomy. Two were converted to open surgery
(8.7 %).
Conclusions Conservative treatment and delayed operation
is an acceptable option for acute cholecystitis. Percutaneous
gall bladder aspiration is a simple and effective procedure,
with a high success rate and low morbidity. Laparoscopic
cholecystectomy after drainage of the gall bladder has low
morbidity with a relatively low conversion rate.