Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Gallbladder Drainage in Cancer Patients
10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.3.237
- Author:
Minsu HAN
1
;
Hoonsub SO
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
- Publication Type:REVIEW ARTICLE
- From:
Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
2025;13(3):237-241
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Acute cholecystitis in patients with cancer can arise from various factors, including tumor invasion of the cystic duct, biliary obstruction, chemotherapy, and immunosuppression. In surgically high-risk patients, nonsurgical drainage is necessary. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) has several limitations, such as discomfort from the external drainage catheter, infection, catheter dislodgment, and delays in cancer treatment. By contrast, endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using a lumen-apposing metal stent provides internal drainage, thereby overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks. Recent studies have reported that the technical and clinical success rates of EUS-GBD exceed 90% and the adverse event rates are below 10%, while randomized controlled trials have shown that this procedure is associated with lower rates of major adverse events, reinterventions, readmissions, and recurrent cholecystitis compared with PTGBD. Its utility has also been shown both as salvage therapy or prophylactic treatment in cases of distal malignant biliary obstruction or cystic duct obstruction. Long-term follow-up data indicate low recurrence and stent-occlusion rates, contributing to sustained treatment continuity and improved quality of life. The findings of this study indicate that EUS-GBD is a safe and effective internal drainage modality for surgically high-risk patients with cancer, and it serves as a palliative intervention that maintains continuity of oncologic care beyond simple drainage.
