EUS-guided gallbladder drainage versus percutaneous gallbladder drainage in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) has emerged as a treatment option in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) deemed unfit for surgery. Prior to this technique, percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PT-GBD) was the only drainage modality available for these patients. Objectives: This study compares clinical outcomes of EUS-GBD versus PT-GBD in high-risk surgical patients with AC. Design: From July 2019 to October 2023, all consecutive patients with AC undergoing EUS-GBD (using LAMS) and PT-GBD at a single academic medical center were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Methods: A propensity score-matched analysis using age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index was performed. This was used to obtain a 1:1 ratio of PT-GBD:EUS-GBD patients. Technical success was defined as successful placement of LAMS or percutaneous cholecystostomy tube in the gallbladder. Clinical success was defined as resolution of patients' symptoms and normalization of white cell count within 96 h post procedure without recurrence of AC. Outcomes were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and Student's Results: Following propensity score matching, 57 EUS-GBD patients were matched with 57 PT-GBD patients. Technical success was seen in 96% (55/57) in the EUS-GBD group and 98% (56/57) in the PT-GBD group ( Conclusion: EUS-GBD is superior to PT-GBD, requiring fewer gallbladder-related procedures and lower rates of adverse events. Given these benefits, it has emerged as the preferred non-surgical alternative in the management of patients with AC who are poor surgical candidates.