GALLBLADDER ABLATION WITH GALLSTONES INSITU IN AN ANIMAL-MODEL

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The authors evaluated a method of gallbladde r sclerosis in the presence of cholelithiasis. METHODS. The study was performed in 20 pigs. The gallbladders of 16 pigs contained surgically placed human gallstones. Control groups included animals that had the ir gallbladders sclerosed in the absence of stones, as well as a surgi cal sham control. Sclerosis followed cystic duct ligation to prevent e xtravasation of the sclerosing agent (95% Ethanol with 2 mole% trifluo roacetic acid) into the biliary tree. After sclerosis, a pigtail cathe ter was placed in the gallbladder to drain any post-procedure fluid ac cumulations. Catheters were removed after all drainage had ceased. Ani mals were killed at either 8 weeks (n = 6) or 6 months (n = 14). RESUL TS. Stones were enveloped within the sclerosed and fibrotic gallbladde r remnant in 13 of 15 test animals (87%). CONCLUSIONS. Sclerosis of ga llbladders with stones in situ was achievable. Total mucosal obliterat ion did not appear to be required to produce a dysfunctional gallbladd er in the time frame of this study.