Gallbladder ablation with gallstones in situ in an animal model.
OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluated a method of gallbladder sclerosis in the presence of cholelithiasis.


METHODS
The study was performed in 20 pigs. The gallbladders of 16 pigs contained surgically placed human gallstones. Control groups included animals that had their gallbladders sclerosed in the absence of stones, as well as a surgical sham control. Sclerosis followed cystic duct ligation to prevent extravasation of the sclerosing agent (95% Ethanol with 2 mole% trifluoroacetic acid) into the biliary tree. After sclerosis, a pigtail catheter was placed in the gallbladder to drain any post-procedure fluid accumulations. Catheters were removed after all drainage had ceased. Animals were killed at either 8 weeks (n = 6) or 6 months (n = 14).


RESULTS
Stones were enveloped within the sclerosed and fibrotic gallbladder remnant in 13 of 15 test animals (87%).


CONCLUSIONS
Sclerosis of gallbladders with stones in situ was achievable. Total mucosal obliteration did not appear to be required to produce a dysfunctional gallbladder in the time frame of this study.
Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine 92668.
L S
LS
Kannegieter
J C
JC
Brandon
F P
FP
Espinoza
D T
DT
Vanson
L S
LS
Deutsch
D P
DP
Miller
S K
SK
Teplick
D000818:Animals; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000601:surgery; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D008026:Ligation; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol