Cholelithiasis Management: Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy vs EUS-guided Gallbladder Cholecystostomy for Gallstones Clearance

Currently, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), is the preferred management for cholelithiasis in patients with history of gallstones-related adverse events, increased risk for gallbladder cancer, or recurrent typical biliary colic. Although elective LC is a commonly performed surgery, the incidence of serious adverse events is around 2.6%. Also, post-cholecystectomy syndrome, alkaline reflux gastritis and bile duct injury are chronic and feared adverse events secondary to gallbladder removal. To avoid them, a more conservative approach need to be address. The preservation of the gallbladder permits the conservation of its physiological functions, preventing LC adverse events, with potential less recovery time.

In this scenario, the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS)-assisted cholecystostomy for gallstones clearance has gained popularity due its trend toward an improved safety profile. The increased on advanced endoscopy experience along with the development of new stents, tools, and delivery systems, had placed the EUS-guided cholecystostomy as a plausible alternative to elective LC for acute cholecystitis, high-risk surgical patients, or patients with a concomitant bile duct neoplasia. In those contexts, EUS-guided cholecystostomy has demonstrated similar or even less hospitalization length of stays, adverse events, readmissions and reinterventions in comparison with elective LC or percutaneous drainage, respectively. Thus, the feasibility of EUS-guided cholecystostomy for cholelithiasis deserves to be explored.

This study pursues to compare between the effectiveness and safety of EUS-guided cholecystostomy and the elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy through an interventional, two group assignment, controlled trial.