title: Resectoscopic ablation of the gallbladder mucosa after cholecystostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of endoscopic ablation of the gallbladder mucosa after cholecystostomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mucosa of the gallbladder was endoscopically electrocoagulated through the cholecystostomy tract. After ablation, repeated luminal irrigation with chymotrypsin solution was given before removal of the tube. The patients were followed up by ultrasonography after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients accepted this operation. The mean operating time was 38 minutes (range, 25 to 55 min). There were no procedure-related mortality and complications including perforation, bleeding, and cholangitis. Eighteen gallbladders have completely obliterated in 3 months. The other 2 gallbladders developed asymptomatic retention cysts. During 48 months of follow-up period, no stone occurred and no signs of malignancy were found at the site of the gallbladder. Seven patients died from the other medical illness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resectoscopic ablation of the gallbladder mucosa is a safe and promising approach to sclerosis of the gallbladder after cholecystostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the People's Hospital of Ningxia Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
authors.forename: Ming Guo
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Li Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002767:Cholecystostomy; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D061646:Operative Time; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome