Background: Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis patients with high surgical risk.
Methods: One hundred and sixty-six patients consecutively treated by percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis in a single medical center were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: The cohort included 121 males and 45 females with mean age of 75.9 years. The overall inhospital mortality rate was 15.1 % (n = 25). Elevated serum creatinine level at diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) 1.497; p = 0.020], septic shock (OR 11.755; p = 0.001), and development of cholecystitis during admission (OR 7.256; p = 0.007) were predictive of inhospital mortality. Of 126 patients who recovered from calculous cholecystitis, 11 experienced recurrent cholecystitis within 2 months. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level >15 mg dl(-1) at diagnosis [hazard ratio (HR) 10.141; p = 0.027] and drainage duration of cholecystostomy longer than 2 weeks (HR 3.638; p = 0.039) were independent risk factors of early recurrence. The 53 patients who underwent cholecystectomy had an 18.9 % perioperative complication rate and no operation-related mortality.
Conclusions: In-patients or those with septic shock or renal insufficiency have worse outcome. Prolonged drainage duration and high CRP level predict early recurrence. Removal of the drainage tube is recommended after resolution of the acute illness.