ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PUNCTURE OF THE GALLBLADDER FOR ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS

We performed a US-guided aspiration of the gallbladder in 27 patients with an acute cholecystitis and severe concurrent disease, not respond ing to IV antibiotics and supportive therapy, Twenty six of the 27 pat ients improved after the procedure. One patient died 7 days after the procedure due to multi organ failure; in the others immediate surgery could be avoided. Three patients experienced local pain after the proc edure; no other puncture related complications were encountered. Long- term results (mean follow up 18 months; range 2-36 months) were excell ent in 20/26 survivors with no biliary complications or need for elect ive cholecystectomy. Six of the 26 patients needed subsequent cholecys tectomy for relapse or incomplete cure.