Outcome of cholecystectomy after endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage with lumen-apposing metal stent, case series.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCCE) has been the standard treatment for acute cholecystitis since the 1980s, but it may pose a significant hazard for high-risk patients. Endoscopic gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) offers a minimally invasive alternative for these patients. While LAMS is effective, the need for subsequent LCCE and long-term outcomes remains under investigation. This study aims to retrospectively assess the safety and feasibility of cholecystectomy after LAMS placement in a series of patients initially deemed unfit for surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review included patients who underwent LCCE following EUS-GBD with LAMS between January and September 2024 was conducted. Data on demographics, procedural details, technical success, and postoperative outcomes were retrieved.

Results: Eight patients with acute cholecystitis underwent gallbladder drainage with transduodenal LAMS placement. Two required ICU care for sepsis but recovered. All eight subsequently underwent elective LCCE with 100% technical success. LAMS placement facilitated faster resolution of cholecystitis, resulting in a clear visualization of Calot's triangle, allowing precise dissection and closure of the cholecystoduodenostomy without complications. The median interval between LAMS placement and LCCE was 117.5 days (111 days excluding one outlier). LCCE was performed in a median operative time of 49 minutes. No conversions to open surgery or postoperative complications occurred, and the median postoperative hospitalization was 2 days.

Conclusion: Interval LCCE following EUS-GBD is a safe and effective option for managing acute cholecystitis in high-risk patients, with outcomes comparable to standard LCCE. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish definitive guidelines for this approach.