PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been standard in the treatment of uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease, but it has been limited for the management of more complicated cholecystitis because of technical difficulties, high conversion rate and postoperative complication rate. Percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGBD) could been a feasible option for successful LC in patients with acute complicated cholecystitis. Optimal timing of successful LC in acute complicated cholecystitis have been controversy. Aim of this study is to evaluate clinical usefulness of PGBD and optimal timing of successful LC for acute complicated cholecystitis, which is to determine whether PGBD can reduce the conversion or complication rate and shorten the operative time or postoperative hospital stay and timing of LC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of total 230 patients underwent LC for acute cholecystitis during Jan.1994-March 2005 at DongKang hospital. We divided 2 groups patients into complicated cholecystitis and cholecystitis, Which were subdivided each into PGBD and non-PGBD group by whether PGBD performed and PGBD subdivided into the early LC. RESULTS: Summarized results described above firstly non- PGBD complicated cholecystitis showed higher conversion rate and postoperative complication rate and longer OP. time compared to PGBD group, secondly following PGBD, delayed LC have advantages of lower conversion rate and complication rate and shorter OP. time compared to early LC group. CONCLUSION: PGBD for LC is safe and effective method to immediate LC in the management of acute complicated cholecystitis. Delayed LC after PGBD would be best option of management for acute complicated cholecystitis.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Cholecystitis* ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Drainage* ; Gallbladder* ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Frequency of combined CBD stones on cholelithiasis has been known to range 5~20% in several reports, and diagnostic tools are USG, MDCT, MRCP and ERCP. Predictive factors of CBD stone for cholelithiasis were diameter of CBD, elevated liver enzyme, multiple small sized GB stones and concurrent pancreatitis. However, unsuspected CBD stone for acute cholecystitis is troublesome for patients and surgeons. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed Percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGBD) for acute complicated cholecystitis from October 1996 to October 2006. Indications for PGBD are clinical symptoms (sepsis) & signs of peritonitis and radiologic findings such as GB empyema, gangrenous cholecystitis and pericholecystic fluid collection. Total laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 1,357 cases, and PGBD for acute complicated cholecystitis was 13.8%. RESULTS: Combined CBD stone rate was 13.6%. Whereas, unsuspected CBD stone was 0.5% (9 cases), 7 in calculous and 2 in acalculous cholecystitis. No. of stone was 1 in 7 cases, 2 in 1 case and 3 in 1 case. Size of stone was less than 5 mm in all cases. Diameter of CBD was not increased in all cases (less than 1 cm) and liver enzymes showed no elevation in all cases. Management for unsuspected CBD stone was preoperative endoscopic lithotripsy in 8 cases and postoperative fluoroscopic lithotripsy in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Cholecystography following PGBD for acute complicated cholecystitis is a useful diagnostic modality for detection of unsuspected CBD stone.
Acalculous Cholecystitis ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Cholecystography ; Cholelithiasis ; Drainage ; Empyema ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Liver ; Pancreatitis ; Peritonitis ; Retrospective Studies