Maturation of the Tract After Percutaneous Cholecystostomy with Regard to the Access Route

Journal Article · Thu Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S002709900208· OSTI ID:21080445

Hatjidakis, Adam A; Karampekios, Spyros; Prassopoulos, Panos ^[1]; Xynos, Evaghelos ^[2]; Raissaki, Maria ^[1]; Vasilakis, Sophocles I ^[2]; Gourtsoyiannis, Nicholas C ^[1]

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1. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, 71110 Heraklion-Stavrakia, Crete (Greece)
2. Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, 71110 Heraklion-Stavrakia, Crete (Greece)

Purpose: To assess the shortest time for catheter removal with regard to the transhepatic or transperitoneal approach in patients undergoing percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC). Methods: In this prospective study, 40 consecutive high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis (calculous, n= 22; acalculous, n= 18) underwent PC by means of a transhepatic (n= 20) or transperitoneal (n= 20) access route. In 28 patients (70%) computed tomography was used for puncture guidance, while in the remaining 12 (30%) the procedures were performed under ultrasound control. A fistulography was performed on the 14th postprocedural day in all patients and was repeated weekly if the tract was found to be immature. The catheter was removed only if a mature tract without evidence of leakage was delineated. Results: In 36 of 40 patients the procedure was technically successful (90%). Three of the unsuccessful punctures were attempted transperitoneally and one transhepatically. Thirty-five of 36 patients showed rapid improvement within the first 48 hr following the procedure (96%). Three of them died of their severe underlying disease (7.5%) and in another three the catheter was accidentally removed prior to the first fistulography (7.5%). A total of 30 patients could be fully evaluated after the procedure: 15 with a transhepatic, and 15 with a transperitoneal PC. Whereas 14 of 15 patients (93%) with transhepatic gallbladder access developed a mature tract after 14 days and the remaining patient after 3 weeks, only 2 of 15 patients (13%) with a transperitoneal route presented a mature tract after 2 weeks (p < 0.0001; {chi}{sup 2} test with Yates' correction). Eleven patients (73%) with transperitoneal access required 3 weeks and two patients (13%) 4 weeks for complete tract formation. Conclusion: A period of 2 weeks suffices for the majority of patients to develop a mature tract when the transhepatic access route is used; when using the trans- peritoneal route at least 3 weeks are required. We suggest that the transhepatic route is preferable since it allows earlier removal of the catheter and reduces the incidence of complications and discomfort for the patients.

• OSTI ID: 21080445
• Journal Information: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Journal Name: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 21; ISSN 0174-1551; ISSN CAIRDG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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