Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Gallbladder Drainage Versus Endoscopic Transpapillary Gallbladder Drainage in Poor Surgical Candidates With Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (GALLVIA Trial)

Acute calculous cholecystitis is a common condition for which early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment. However, some patients are poor surgical candidates because of advanced age, severe comorbidities, poor performance status, or refusal of surgery. In such cases, gallbladder drainage is required.

Endoscopic gallbladder drainage has become an alternative to percutaneous drainage because it avoids external drainage tubes and may improve patient comfort and quality of life. Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (EGBS) is an established endoscopic approach, but it is technically challenging because selective cannulation of the cystic duct is often difficult. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) has recently emerged as a promising alternative with high technical and clinical success rates. However, prospective randomized evidence directly comparing EUS-GBD with EGBS is lacking.

This study is a multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, open-label randomized controlled trial designed to compare EUS-GBD and EGBS in poor surgical candidates with acute calculous cholecystitis. After written informed consent and confirmation of eligibility, participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the EUS-GBD group or the EGBS group using a web-based central registration system. In the EUS-GBD group, gallbladder drainage will be performed under endoscopic ultrasound guidance using a commercially available LAMS. In the EGBS group, gallbladder drainage will be performed by a transpapillary approach with placement of a plastic stent. Procedures will be performed as early as possible after enrollment, preferably within 24 hours.

The primary endpoint is clinical success, defined as successful gallbladder drainage followed by improvement of acute cholecystitis without the need for additional gallbladder drainage. Secondary endpoints include technical success, procedure-related adverse events, reintervention rate, procedure time, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality. Long-term follow-up data, including recurrent cholecystitis, late adverse events, reinterventions, and survival, will also be collected.

The study aims to establish high-level evidence regarding the optimal endoscopic gallbladder drainage strategy for poor surgical candidates with acute calculous cholecystitis.