EUS-guided gallbladder drainage in patients with cirrhosis

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is a minimally invasive procedure that has proven to be safe and effective for treating symptomatic gallbladder disease in patients with cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients are traditionally considered high-risk for surgical procedures due to their compromised liver function, increased bleeding risk, and susceptibility to complications. EUS-GBD provides an alternative to surgery, offering relief from gallbladder-related symptoms and inflammation without the need for more invasive interventions.

A multicenter study compared outcomes of EUS-GBD in cirrhotic (47 patients) and non-cirrhotic (123 patients) individuals. Both groups showed similar rates of technical success (97.9% vs. 95.1%) and clinical success (93.6% vs. 94.9%), with rare adverse events and comparable survival rates. Acute cholecystitis was more prevalent in cirrhotic patients, reflecting their higher disease burden. Overall, EUS-GBD demonstrated equivalent safety and effectiveness in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, establishing it as a viable option for gallbladder drainage in cirrhosis.