[Percutaneous gallbladder drainage in acute cholecystitis].

12 high-risk patients underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy for serious acute cholecystitis using a transhepatic approach under ultrasonic guidance. Eight patients had acute acalculous cholecystitis, and four had acute calculous cholecystitis. Following the drainage procedure a mean decrease in body temperature of 0.7 degrees centigrade was noted in 11 patients and a reduction of pain and defence in five out of nine patients. Two patients had a perforated gallbladder and pericholecystic abscess; both cases were successfully treated by percutaneous drainage. Four patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis died while in hospital for reasons unrelated to the procedure. The catheter became dislodged in three patients.