Endoscopic Gallbladder Drainage EUS LAMS vs. ERCP Trans-papillary Drainage

In this review, we discuss the role of endoscopic gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis in non-surgical candidates, describe technical aspects, clinical outcomes, and elaborate on considerations when determining which approach to adopt for a given patient.

Cholecystectomy remains the criterion standard for management of acute cholecystitis in patients who can safely undergo surgery. For non-surgical candidates, percutaneous cholecystostomy (PTC-GBD) has been the traditional strategy to drain and decompress the gallbladder. Advances in endoscopy have further expanded the nonsurgical interventions and approaches to cholecystitis. Both endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ET-GBD) and endoscopic ultrasound guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) have become acceptable alternatives to PTC-GBD, with growing literature supporting their efficacy, safety and improved patient quality of life when compared to a percutaneous approach.

Choosing the appropriate endoscopic technique for gallbladder drainage should be tailored to each patient, keeping in view the specific clinical scenarios, endoscopist preference and following a multi-disciplinary approach.