Endoscopic retrograde catheterization of gallbladder and transpapillary gallbladder stenting for gallbladder diseases

Objective To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of endoscopic retrograde catheterization of gallbladder(ERCG) and endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder stenting(ETGS) for gallbladder diseases. Methods Patients who underwent ERCG and ETGS in Eastern Hepatobiliary Hospital from January 2010 to June 2016 were enrolled to this retrospective study. The superselection time of cystic duct, the catheterization time of gallbladder, postoperative symptoms and complications were analyzed. Results A total of 10 patients were enrolled to this study, including 2 cases of acute calculous cholecystitis, 4 cases of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage(PTGBD) and 4 cases of cholecystocholedo-cholithiasis. The success rates of ERCG and ETGS were 100%. Symptoms were relieved in all patients and PTGBD catheter was removed after ETGS. The mean times of ERCG and ETGS were 10.2 ± 6.9 min and 17.0 ± 8.0 min respectively. The mean times of ERCG were 18.5±4.9 min, 13.0±3.6 min and 3.3±1.3 min, respectively (F=18.86, P=0.002). The mean times of ETGS were 25.5±4.9 min, 21.0±4.7 min and 8.8±1.0 min, respectively (F=18.04, P=0.002). Complications included 1 case of cholangitis and 1 case of hyperamylasemia. Cholangitis was relieved after anti-inflammatory treatment. No acute pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation or procedure-related death occurred. Conclusion ERCG and ETGS are safe and feasible, which can play important roles in the treatment of specific gallbladder diseases or gallbladder with bile duct diseases.