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The Rise and Fall of Percutaneous Cholecystostomy in a Community Hospital: Is It Possible to Turn the Tide of History?

  • Original Article
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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for treatment of acute cholecystitis. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) drains are alternatives to cholecystectomy in critically ill patients in whom surgery carries an unacceptably high risk. Recently, several studies demonstrated a significant increase in complications in patients undergoing PC in comparison to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent PC drainage or cholecystectomy from 2014 through 2019 at our institution. We determined the rate of PC use and performed a linear regression analysis to evaluate PC utilization over time. After creating institutional guidelines and reeducating physicians on appropriate use of PC drainage in 2019, we compared PC utilization to prior years.

Results

A total of 146 PCs and 3163 cholecystectomies were performed over the study period. Of the cholecystectomies, 754 (23.8%) were performed in hospitalized patients under urgent or emergent conditions. Of the patients with acute cholecystitis, 16.2% were treated with PC. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between year and rate of PC procedures (p<0.001). The rate of PC rose from 13.8 to 22.5% between 2014 and 2018 and dropped to 10.9% (p=0.006) in 2019 after the reeducation program.

Conclusions

With a rising rate of PC utilization and in light of recent studies suggesting increased complications and healthcare costs for patients undergoing this procedure, care needs to be taken to ensure that only appropriate patients are referred for PC. Publication of institutional guidelines, resident and attending surgeon reeducation, and case review can reduce placement of unnecessary PCs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Danbury Hospital, Nuvance Health, 24 Hospital Ave, Danbury, CT, 06810, USA

    Alexander Ostapenko, Shawn Liechty, Emi Manuia, Stephanie Stroever, Marc Casasanta & Daniel Kleiner

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  1. Alexander Ostapenko
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  2. Shawn Liechty
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  3. Emi Manuia
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  4. Stephanie Stroever
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  6. Daniel Kleiner
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Correspondence to Alexander Ostapenko.

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Ostapenko, A., Liechty, S., Manuia, E. et al. The Rise and Fall of Percutaneous Cholecystostomy in a Community Hospital: Is It Possible to Turn the Tide of History?. J Gastrointest Surg 26, 602–607 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-04996-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-04996-1

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