Emergency biliary surgery for acute obstructive cholecystitis in the elderly is associated with an increased hospital mortality. We therefore attempted to drain the obstructed gallbladder via the transpapillary route in 18 patients (mean age: 67 years) who had cystic duct obstruction on ERC and who were at an increased surgical risk. A cholecystonasal catheter was successfully introduced after a small EPT in sixteen of them (89%). This resulted in effective bile drainage, obviating the need for emergency surgery in all patients. No procedure-associated morbidity or mortality was found. Following clinical remission, elective treatment consisted of ESWL/direct stone dissolution (n = 10) or elective surgery (n = 3). Three patients received no further therapy. Our results show that endoscopic gallbladder drainage may be a valuable alternative to emergency surgery in high risk patients with acute obstructive cholecystitis.

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