Tyberg A, et al. - This study reports a multicenter, international experience comparing endoscopic ultrasound–guided drainage (EUS-GLB) and percutaneous drainage (PC-GLB) in nonsurgical patients with cholecystitis. As per the data, technical and clinical success rates afforded by EUS-GLB were comparable to those of PC-GLB and there was no difference in adverse events associated with both of these approaches. Notably, EUS-GLB displayed safety and efficacy and afforded a decreased number of repeat interventions, thereby, offering a potential cost-saving benefit and morbidity benefit.

Methods

• This study was performed on all patients who underwent either PC-GLB drainage or EUS-GLB drainage from 7 centers between January 2010 and December 2015.
• Successful placement of a catheter or stent into the gallbladder defined technical success, and clinical success was defined as resolution of clinical symptoms after intervention.
• For all patients, adverse events, length of stay, and the requirement for repeat interventions and/or hospitalizations were recorded.

Results

• This study included a total of 155 patients (mean age 74±14.24 y; range, 31 to 96; 56% male).
• EUS-GLB and PC-GLB were performed on 42 patients and 113 patients, respectively.
• Findings demonstrated that technical success was achieved in 40 patients (95%) in the EUS-GLB group and 112 patients (99%) in the PC-GLB group (P=0.179) and clinical success was achieved in 40 patients (95%) in the EUS-GLB group and 97 patients (86%) in the PC-GLB group (P=0.157).
• Researchers found no difference in hospital readmission rates between the 2 groups (14% vs. 24%; P=0.194).
• However, they noted that PC-GLB group (n=28, 24%) included significantly higher number of patients requiring repeat interventions compared with the EUS-GLB group (n=4, 10%) (P=0.037).
• Between the 2 groups, no difference was reported in adverse events.