Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy: still useful in the management of complicated acute cholecystitis.

The preferred treatment for acute cholecystitis is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conversion to open operation may be necessary in cases where the anatomy is unclear or complications are encountered. Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy remains an alternative to open surgery in cases where the gallbladder is judged too inflamed to allow for laparoscopic removal and in cases where the patient is too sick to tolerate a more extensive procedure. It also provides access for diagnostic cholangiography. We report three patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystostomy and interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy without complications. Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy is safe and remains a useful option in select patients with complicated acute cholecystitis.