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Endoscopic gallbladder drainage for symptomatic gallbladder disease: a cumulative systematic review meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC)-based transpapillary drainage may provide alternative treatment strategies for high-risk surgical candidates with symptomatic gallbladder (GB) disease. The primary aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic GB drainage for patients with symptomatic GB disease.

Methods

Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were performed in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Pooled proportions were calculated for measured outcomes including technical success, clinical success, adverse event rate, recurrence rate, and rate of reintervention. Subgroup analyses were performed for transmural versus transpapillary, transmural lumen apposing stent (LAMS), and comparison to percutaneous transhepatic drainage. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. Publication bias was ascertained by funnel plot and Egger regression testing.

Results

Thirty-six studies (n = 1538) were included. Overall, endoscopic GB drainage achieved a technical and clinical success of 87.33% [(95% CI 84.42–89.77); I2 = 39.55] and 84.16% [(95% CI 80.30–87.38); I2 = 52.61], with an adverse event rate of 11.00% [(95% CI 9.25–13.03); I2 = 7.08]. On subgroup analyses, EUS-guided transmural compared to ERC-assisted transpapillary drainage resulted in higher technical and clinical success rates [OR 3.91 (95% CI 1.52–10.09); P = 0.005 and OR 4.59 (95% CI 1.84–11.46); P = 0.001] and lower recurrence rate [OR 0.17 (95% CI 0.06–0.52); P = 0.002]. Among EUS-guided LAMS studies, technical success was 94.65% [(95% CI 91.54–96.67); I2 = 0.00], clinical success was 92.06% [(95% CI 88.65–94.51); I2 = 0.00], and adverse event rate was 11.71% [(95% CI 8.92–15.23); I2 = 0.00]. Compared to percutaneous drainage, EUS-guided drainage possessed a similar efficacy and safety with significantly lower rate of reintervention [OR 0.05 (95% CI 0.02–0.13); P < 0.001].

Discussion

Endoscopic GB drainage is a safe and effective treatment for high-risk surgical candidates with symptomatic GB disease. EUS-guided transmural drainage is superior to transpapillary drainage and associated with a lower rate of reintervention compared to percutaneous transhepatic drainage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Thomas R. McCarty, Kelly E. Hathorn, Ahmad Najdat Bazarbashi, Kunal Jajoo, Marvin Ryou & Christopher C. Thompson

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Thomas R. McCarty, Kelly E. Hathorn, Ahmad Najdat Bazarbashi, Kunal Jajoo, Marvin Ryou & Christopher C. Thompson

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  1. Thomas R. McCarty
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Correspondence to Christopher C. Thompson.

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Disclosures

Marvin Ryou has the following disclosures: Medtronic/Covidien—Consultant, Pentax—Consultant. Christopher C Thompson has the following disclosures: Apollo Endosurgery—Consultant/Research Support (Consulting fees/Institutional Research Grants), Aspire Bariatrics—Research Support (Institutional Research Grant), BlueFlame Healthcare Venture Fund—General Partner, Boston Scientific—Consultant (Consulting fees), Covidien/Medtronic—Consultant (Consulting Fees), EnVision Endoscopy (Board Member), Fractyl—Consultant/Advisory Board Member (Consulting Fees), GI Dynamics—Consultant (Consulting Fees)/ Research Support (Institutional Research Grant), GI Windows—Ownership interest, Olympus/Spiration—Consultant (Consulting Fees)/Research Support (Equipment Loans). Spatz—Research Support (Institutional Research Grant), USGI Medical—Consultant (Consulting Fees)/Advisory Board Member (Consulting fees)/Research Support (Research Grant). All authors approve of final submission. Thomas R. McCarty, Kelly E. Hathorn, Ahmad Najdat Bazarbashi, and Kunal Jajoo have no conflicts of interest of financial ties to disclose.

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McCarty, T.R., Hathorn, K.E., Bazarbashi, A.N. et al. Endoscopic gallbladder drainage for symptomatic gallbladder disease: a cumulative systematic review meta-analysis. Surg Endosc 35, 4964–4985 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-020-07758-3

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