Cystic Duct Embolization with Chemical Gallbladder Ablation for the Treatment of Acute Calculous Cholecystitis in High-Risk Patients: A Prospective Single-Center Study

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of cystic duct embolization and chemical gallbladder ablation as an alternative to cholecystectomy in high-risk patients with calculous cholecystitis who were not candidates for surgery. Materials and Methods This prospective study included 10 patients with acute cholecystitis (7 males and 3 females) aged 70–91 years (average age, 81.6 years) between 2013 and 2019. A cholecystostomy catheter was inserted during the acute phase, followed by cystic duct coil embolization performed via the existing drainage tube tract. Once asymptomatic, 3% aethoxysklerol was injected into the gallbladder, and the drain was removed upon sonographic confirmation that the gallbladder remained contracted. Each phase of the procedure was performed with an interval of 2–3 weeks. Clinical, cholangiographic, and sonographic data were collected before and after drain removal at 1-month follow-up. Results Cystic duct embolization was technically successful in all patients, with no immediate post-procedure complications. Gallbladder ablation performed in 10 patients was technically successful in all of them (median follow-up, 11 months). One patient required repeat ablation at 14 months, and the prolonged biliary excretions of 1 other patient ceased only at 8 months. Conclusions Cystic duct embolization with gallbladder ablation is a feasible procedure for patients in whom cholecystectomy is contraindicated.