Background/Aim: Recently, endoscopic ultrasound‑guided gallbladder drainage (EUS‑GBD) has emerged using a self‑expandable metallic stent (SEMS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the long‑term outcomes of this procedure. In addition, the efficacy and safety of EUS‑GBD with SEMS were assessed
Patients and Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent EUS‑GBD for acute cholecystitis between February 2014 and September 2016 were included in this retrospective study. EUS‑GBD was performed under the guidance of EUS and fluoroscopy, through puncturing the gallbladder with a needle inserting a guidewire, dilating the puncture hole, and placing a SEMS.
Results: The rates of technical success, functional success, and adverse events were 100%, 92.3% and 7.7% respectively. The median procedure time was 26.9 min (range 19–42 min). The median follow‑up time was 240 days (range 14–945 days) and during this follow‑up period recurrence of cholecystitis was observed in one patient (7.7%).
Conclusion: EUS‑GBD with a SEMS is a possible alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis in high surgical risk patients. Long‑term outcomes after EUS‑GBD were promising.