title: Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy.
abstract: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in 11 patients. Indications were acute cholecystitis in 7 patients, and obstructive biliary disease in 4 patients. A transhepatic approach was used in all patients. In one patient, bile leakage was noticed during cholecystectomy. No other complications were seen. Three of five patients with a acalculous cholecystitis had a normal post-drainage cholangiogram and the drainage catheter could be removed. A follow-up of 5.5, and 26 months respectively, showed no recurrent disease. Three patients underwent surgery and the remaining five patients were drained until death by their underlying disease. Percutaneous cholecystostomy can be a life-saving and curative procedure in the critically ill patient, and, in case of acalculous cholecystitis, the only one needed.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lameris
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeekel
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Havelaar
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: von Seyen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography