Revolutionizing outcomes: endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage using innovative electrocautery enhanced-lumen apposing metal stents for high-risk surgical patients

This study retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using novel electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) in high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). Between January 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022, 58 high-risk surgical patients with AC underwent EUS-GBD with the novel electrocautery-enhanced LAMS. The technical success rate was 94.8% (55/58), with one case of duodenal perforation requiring surgery with complete stent migration and two of partial stent migration into the gallbladder. However, the clinical success rate was 100% (55/55). Recurrent AC occurred in 3.6% of the cases (2/55), managed with double pigtail plastic stents through the LAMS. Early AEs observed in 1.8% (1/55) due to stent obstruction. Late AEs occurred in 5.4% (3/55), including two cases of cholangitis and one of stent obstruction. For 33 patients followed over 6 months, LAMS maintenance was sustained in 30 cases. Two patients underwent double-pigtail plastic stent replacement after LAMS removal, and one underwent LAMS removal during surgery following tumor stage regression after chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma. The novel electrocautery-enhanced LAMS demonstrated high technical and clinical success rates in high-risk surgical patients with AC, maintaining effective gallbladder drainage with minimal AEs during long-term follow-up, thus highlighting its efficacy and safety in challenging patients.