Efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage without dilation by using a 0.035-inch stiff guidewire

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for patients with cholecystitis and high surgical risk is commonly performed by dilating the fistula before inserting the delivery sheath; however, this carries an increased risk of peritonitis. To overcome this problem, we developed a new technique that did not require dilation, using a 0.035-inch stiff guidewire, and retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of this technique. This retrospective case series report collected data on non-surgical patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for various indications at Steel Memorial Muroran Hospital between November 2020 and October 2022. A total of 71 patients were included (mean age 83 +/- 7.6 years; 33 women and 38 men). Breakthrough of the delivery sheath without dilation of the fistula was successful in 97.2% (n = 69) of patients. The success rate of stent placement was 98.6% (n = 70), as was the clinical success rate. Complications occurred in 2.8% (n = 2) of patients. Early and late adverse events occurred in 2.8% (n = 2) and 12.7% (n = 9) of patients, respectively. The mean procedure time was 24.8 +/- 9.3 min. If a 0.035-inch stiff guidewire is used, the dilation procedure can be omitted in the endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage using self-expandable metal stents.