Use of endoscopic and surgical methods in the treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis

Laparoscopic gallbladder drainage (LGBD) was undertaken to arrest acute inflammation in 121 patients suffering from acute cholecystitis and serious concomitant diseases. Their ages ranged from 30 to 89 years. Cholecystectomy was carried out in 78 patients after complete abatement of the inflammatory process. When the risk of a radical operation was very high treatment was restricted to cleansing of the gallbladder cavity (CGBC). In 9 patients stones were removed from the gallbladder through a cholecystostoma, formed during LGBD, using a choledochoscope. Cleansing cholecystostomy under local anesthesia was conducted in 19 cases. Fifteen patients who were treated by CGBC had choledocholithiasis; they were subjected to endoscopic papillosphincterotomy. The death rate was 1.6%.     

Emergency cholecystostomy and subsequent cholecystectomy for acute gallstone cholecystitis in the elderly

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality rates associated with acute cholecystitis are higher in the elderly. This study reports the results of treatment of acute cholecystitis in the elderly with emergency ultrasonographically guided percutaneous cholecystostomy followed by elective cholecystectomy after endoscopic treatment of any common bile duct stones diagnosed by percutaneous cholangiography. METHODS: From January 1989 to December 1998, 92 patients aged over 70 years were treated for acute gallstone cholecystitis. A group of 84 patients with ultrasonographic signs of severe cholecystitis or an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of II to IV were submitted to ultrasonographically guided percutaneous cholecystostomy. Transcatheter cholangiography was performed in all patients and endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed before operation in patients with common bile duct stones. After resolution of the acute phase and treatment of any associated diseases, patients were submitted to cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Cholecystostomy was performed successfully in 83 patients and permitted resolution of the acute attack in all after a mean period of 1.8 days. Cholangiography yielded a diagnosis of non-gallstone obstruction in one patient and common bile duct stones in 19 patients; preoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction was performed in 18 patients. Elective cholecystectomy was then performed in 70 patients with no deaths and a morbidity rate of 24 per cent. CONCLUSION: Combining emergency ultrasonographically guided percutaneous cholecystostomy, preoperative endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones and subsequent elective cholecystectomy constitutes an optimal treatment regimen for acute gallstone cholecystitis in selected elderly patients with a mortality rate of zero in the authors' experience.     

Laparoscopic reintervention for residual gallstone disease

Laparoscopic reintervention is being increasingly performed in patients who have previously undergone surgery for gallstone disease. A few patients with gallbladder remnants or a cystic duct stump with residual stones have recurrent symptoms of biliary disease. Patients with bile duct injuries were excluded from the study. We reviewed our experience in treating such patients over a 4-year period, January 1998 through December 2001. Five patients underwent laparoscopic reintervention after previous surgery for gallstone disease performed elsewhere during the period mentioned above. Of these 5 patients, 3 had impacted stones in gallbladder remnants (laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 2; open cholecystectomy, 1) and 2 had recurrent symptoms after cholecystolithotomy and tube cholecystostomy (conventional surgery) performed elsewhere. Laparoscopic excision of the gall bladder remnants was done in 3 patients and a formal laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done in 2 patients who had previously undergone cholecystolithotomy and tube cholecystostomy. The mean operating time was 42 minutes. No drainage was required postoperatively. All patients were symptom-free during a mean follow-up of 2.3 years (range, 7 months to 4 years). Reintervention may be required for patients with residual gallstones whose symptoms recur after gallbladder surgery such as cholecystectomy, subtotal cholecystectomy, and tube cholecystostomy. It is safe and feasible to remove the gallbladder or gallbladder remnants in such patients laparoscopically.     

Die Intensivgallenblase als Schockorgan

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) represents a severe disease in critically ill patients. The pathogenesis of acute necroinflammatory gallbladder disease is multifactorial and intensive care unit (ICU) patients show multiple risk factors. In addition AAC is difficult to diagnose because of the vague physical and non-specific technical findings. Only the combination of clinical and technical findings including the challenging physical examination of critically ill patients, laboratory results and ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan, will lead to the diagnosis. The condition of AAC has a rapid progress to gallbladder necrosis, gangrene and perforation and these complications are reflected in the high morbidity and mortality rates, therefore, therapy should be promptly initiated. If there are no clinical contraindications for an operative approach cholecystectomy is the definitive treatment and both open and laparoscopic procedures have been used. In unstable, critically ill patients percutaneous cholecystostomy should be immediately performed. In addition, transpapillary endoscopic drainage is also possible if there are contraindications for percutaneous cholecystostomy. Patients who fail to improve or deteriorate following interventional drainage should be reconsidered for cholecystectomy. Due to the fact that more than 90? % of patients treated with percutaneous cholecystostomy showed no recurrence of symptoms during a period of more than 1 year, it is still unclear if percutaneous cholecystostomy is the definitive treatment of AAC for unstable patients or if delayed cholecystectomy is still necessary.     

Flowcharts for the diagnosis and treatment of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis: Tokyo Guidelines

Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for acute biliary inflammation/infection (acute cholangitis and acute cholecystitis), according to severity grade, have not yet been established in the world. Therefore we formulated flowcharts for the management of acute biliary inflammation/infection in accordance with severity grade. For mild (grade I) acute cholangitis, medical treatment may be sufficient/appropriate. For moderate (grade II) acute cholangitis, early biliary drainage should be performed. For severe (grade III) acute cholangitis, appropriate organ support such as ventilatory/circulatory management is required. After hemodynamic stabilization is achieved, urgent endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage should be performed. For patients with acute cholangitis of any grade of severity, treatment for the underlying etiology, including endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical treatment should be performed after the patient's general condition has improved. For patients with mild (grade I) cholecystitis, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment. For patients with moderate (grade II) acute cholecystitis, early laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy is preferred. In patients with extensive local inflammation, elective cholecystectomy is recommended after initial management with percutaneous gallbladder drainage and/or cholecystostomy. For the patient with severe (grade III) acute cholecystitis, multiorgan support is a critical part of management. Biliary peritonitis due to perforation of the gallbladder is an indication for urgent cholecystectomy and/or drainage. Delayed elective cholecystectomy may be performed after initial treatment with gallbladder drainage and improvement of the patient's general medical condition.     

Tube Cholecystostomy Before Cholecystectomy for the Treatment of Acute Cholecystitis

Methods:This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent tube cholecystostomy from July 1, 2005, to July 1, 2012.Results:During the study period, 82 patients underwent 125 cholecystostomy tube placements. Four patients (5%) died during the year after tube placement. The mean hospital length of stay for survivors was 8.8 days (range, 1–59 days). Twenty-eight patients (34%) required at least 1 additional percutaneous procedure (range, 1–6) for gallbladder drainage. Twenty-nine patients (34%) ultimately underwent cholecystectomy. Surgery was performed a mean of 7 weeks after cholecystostomy tube placement. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in 25 operative patients but required conversion to an open approach in 8 cases (32%). In another 4 cases, planned open cholecystectomy was performed. Major postoperative complications were limited to 2 patients with postoperative common bile duct obstruction requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, 1 patient requiring a return to the operating room for hemoperitoneum, and 2 patients with bile leak from the cystic duct stump.Conclusions:In high-risk patients receiving cholecystostomy tubes for acute cholecystitis, only about one third will undergo surgical cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in this circumstance has a higher rate of conversion to open surgery and higher hepatobiliary morbidity rate.     

Selective use of tube cholecystostomy with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis

HYPOTHESIS: Tube cholecystostomy followed by interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a sale and efficacious treatment option in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study within a 4 1/2%-year period. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Of 324 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 65 (20%) had acute cholecystitis; 15 of these 65 patients (mean age, 75 years) underwent tube cholecystostomy. INTERVENTION: Thirteen patients at high risk for general anesthesia because of underlying medical conditions underwent percutaneous tube cholecystostomy with local anesthesia. Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy was performed on 2 patients during attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of severe inflammation. Interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted after an average of 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Technical details and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Prompt clinical response was observed in 13 (87%) of the patients after tube cholecystostomy. Twelve patients (80%) underwent interval cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in 11 patients and was successful in 10 (91%), with 1 conversion to open cholecystectomy. One patient had interval open cholecystectomy during definitive operation for esophageal cancer and another had emergency open cholecystectomy due to tube dislodgment. Two patients (13%) had complications related to tube cholecystostomy and 2 patients died from sepsis before interval operation. One patient died from sepsis after combined esophagectomy and cholecystectomy. Postoperative minor complications developed in 2 patients. At a mean follow-up of 16.7 months (range, 0.5-53 months), all patients were free of biliary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Tube cholecystostomy allowed for resolution of sepsis and delay of definitive surgery in selected patients. Interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy was safely performed once sepsis and acute infection had resolved in this patient group at high risk for general anesthesia and conversion to open cholecystectomy. Just as catheter drainage of acute infection with interval appendectomy is accepted in patients with periappendiceal abscess, tube cholecystostomy with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy should have a role in the management of selected patients with acute cholecystitis.     

腹腔镜手术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎（附156例报告）

目的探讨腹腔镜手术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎的可行性、安全性。方法对2005年1月～2008年5月156例急性化脓性胆囊炎行腹腔镜手术的临床资料进行回顾性分析。常规四孔法腹腔镜胆囊切除术,对胆囊三角解剖不清者行胆囊造瘘或胆囊大部分切除术。结果156例均行腹腔镜手术,其中139例（89.1%）顺利完成腹腔镜胆囊切除术,6例（3.8%）行胆囊造瘘,11例（7.1%）行胆囊大部分切除术,无一例中转开腹。手术时间35～180min,平均75min。13例直接胆红素升高和（或）胆总管扩张术中胆道造影示9例胆总管结石,腹腔镜下切开取石,T管引流,术后2个月造影后拔管。156例术后随访3～6个月,无黄疸、腹痛、发热等并发症,无胆总管残留结石。结论腹腔镜手术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎是一种安全、可行的治疗方法。     

EST+ERCP术后早期并发急性坏疽性胆囊炎的外科诊治

目的 探讨EST+ERCP术后并发急性坏疽性胆囊炎(AGC)的外科诊治.方法 回顾性分析2005年12月至2007年6月浙江省杭州市第一人民医院收治的1468例行EST+ERCP手术病人的资料.结果 16例病人术后并发AGC,发生率为1.09%,主要表现为术后1～3 d突发右上腹疼痛伴局限性腹膜炎和发热.血白细胞总数>15.0×109/L 15例(93.8%).B超呈高张胆囊、双边影征改变等,术前诊断准确率为81.3%.该组行胆囊切除术10例,胆囊切除+胆总管切开取石+T管引流术2例,胆囊大部切除术3例,胆囊造瘘术1例,术后病理报告均为急性坏疽性胆囊炎.结论 术后1～3 d潜伏期、局限性腹膜炎、血白细胞升高及胆囊B超是EST+ERCP术后并发AGC诊断的主要依据,应与乳头区穿孔、重症胰腺炎等仔细鉴别,诊断明确后宜尽早手术.     

胆囊穿刺造瘘后双通道胆道镜保胆取石与腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗老年患者结石性胆囊炎疗效的比较

目的比较超声引导双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜保胆取石与胆囊穿刺造瘘后行腹腔镜胆囊切除术（1aparoscopiccholecystectomy,LC）治疗老年患者急性结石性胆囊炎的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2012年1～9月接受双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜保胆取石治疗的30例老年结石性胆囊炎（保胆取石组）和胆囊穿刺造瘘后行Lc治疗的30例老年结石性胆囊炎（Lc组）的临床资料,比较2组手术操作时间、术中出血量、住院时间、消化不良症状发生率等。结果60例均穿刺置管成功,带管时间14d-2个月,平均30d。4～8周后,保胆取石组30例成功行胆道镜取石,结石取净率100％,取石过程中无出血、漏胆、继发胆总管结石、切口感染等手术并发症。LC组28例三孔法完成LC,2例因粘连组织难以分离中转开腹手术,术中、术后均无严重并发症。保胆取石组术中出血量（8．8±1．7）ml,显著少于LC组（18．9±1．2）ml（t=-25．968,P=0．000）;保胆取石组住院时间（4．4±0．6）d,显著短于LC组（5．6±0．5）d（t=-8．243,P=0．000）。保胆取石组术后随访3、6、12个月,B超检查1例复发,5例有上腹部不适、腹泻、食欲不佳等消化不良症状,发生率16．7％（5／30）,LC组术后21例有消化不良症状,发生率70．o％（21／30）,2组比较有显著性差异（x2=17．376,P=0．000）。结论超声引导双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜保胆取石操作简便,在术中出血量、住院时间、远期生活质量等方面均优于胆囊造瘘后行LC。     

Cholangiography and endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of severe acute gallstone pancreatitis discovered at diagnostic laparotomy

Seven patients with gallstone pancreatitis discovered at diagnostic laparotomy did not undergo definitive biliary surgery because it was considered hazardous in the presence of severe acute pancreatitis. The procedures carried out at operation in these cases included cholecystectomy and T-tube drainage (2 patients) cholecystostomy drainage (3 patients), and closure of the abdomen without drainage (2 patients). Direct cholangiography was carried out postoperatively in all cases. The biliary drain was used for this purpose in 5 patients, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in 2. All patients were found to have calculi in the common bile duct and were successfully managed by endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) without complications or mortality. ES therefore appears to be a safe and effective method of avoiding difficult and hazardous biliary surgery in the presence of severe acute pancreatitis.     

序贯式双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜微创保胆取石

目的:探讨超声引导双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜保胆取石术治疗高龄高危急性结石性胆囊炎患者的疗效.方法:回顾性分析2012年1月-2013年4月接受双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜保胆取石术治疗的30例高龄高危急性结石性胆囊炎患者的临床资料.结果:30例患者均穿刺置管成功,1例发生出血,向腔内注入立止血,夹闭弓引流管后出血停止,带管时间为14d至2个月,平均时间为30 d.4～8周后,28例患者成功行胆道镜取石,1例患者因窦道未形成行开腹胆囊切除术,1例患者因16F猪尾型外导管滑脱行腹腔镜胆囊切除术.28例患者获随访3～19个月,B超检查1例(3.6％)复发.结论:超声引导双通道胆囊穿刺造瘘联合胆道镜保胆取石是治疗高龄高危胆囊结石患者可靠、有效的方法.     

Role of cholecystostomy in the management of critically ill patients suffering from acute cholecystitis

Between the years 1976 and 1985, 60 patients underwent cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis in the surgical department of the Rokach hospital in Tel Aviv. The patients' average age was 73 years; 78 per cent were 70 years or older at the time of operation. The decision to perform cholecystostomy was taken before the operation which was performed as an emergency procedure for patients considered to be at high risk for cholecystectomy. Forty-six patients (77 per cent) had severe concomitant diseases, and 42 per cent of them had two or more associated diseases simultaneously. The cardiac risk index was high in most patients (90 per cent). Fifty-two patients recovered promptly after surgery. Five patients (8 per cent) developed significant postoperative complications. Three other patients (5 per cent) died of cardiovascular complications. Forty-two patients (70 per cent) underwent an elective cholecystectomy 6-8 weeks later with no further morbidity or mortality. Eleven patients who were at high risk had no further surgery. No residual stones were found in these patients and no relapse of the disease was recorded in the long term follow-up. Four patients were lost to follow-up. We conclude that cholecystostomy may still be used as an initial life saving procedure for critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis, and serves as a definitive procedure for patients considered to be at very high operative risk and who have no residual stones.     

腹腔镜联合十二指肠镜治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石效果分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)联合内镜Oddi括约肌切开取石术(EST)治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析2003年5月-2009年6月,LC与EST联合治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石78例临床资料.首先经EST取出胆管结石,5 d内行LC.结果 EST成功76例(97%),失效2例,1例因胆管末端狭窄,开腹行胆肠吻合术治愈;1例胆总管结石直径1.6 cm,质硬,机械性碎石失败,开腹行胆总管切开取石T管引流术.76例腹腔镜手术成功,无明显出血、胆漏等严重并发症.结论 EST+LC联合治疗胆囊结石并胆总管结石具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少及无需T管引流等优点,是一种安全有效的治疗方法.     

Endoscopic removal of the gallbladder mucosa after cholecystostomy

The authors have developed a new method of radical treatment of patients with acute obstructive cholecystitis after cholecystostomy. The endoscopic removal of the mucosa was proposed using hysteroresectoscope GYI-525-12 (Circon-ACM1). The method was used in 5 elderly patients with high anesthesia risk in whom surgical cholecystectomy was not possible. The removal of the mucosa resulted in the replacement of the gallbladder with the connective tissue giving the effect of radical operation.     

经皮经肝胆囊穿刺引流术和延期的腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗老年急性胆囊炎

目的 评价经皮经肝胆囊穿刺引流术（percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage,PTGBD）和延期腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）治疗老年急性胆囊炎的价值。方法 回顾分析2001年1月～2005年12月30例老年（〉65岁）急性胆囊炎使用PTGBD的临床资料。均为伴有严重内科疾病和（或）保守治疗症状不缓解的患者。结果 29例导管置入成功,1例因胆囊内充满结石置管未成功,行胆汁抽吸术。并发症包括导管脱落2例（1例重新插入,1例症状缓解未再插入）,1例因病情加重,后改行胆囊造瘘＋腹腔冲洗引流术。27例带管出院。25例PTGBD后3周拔管,2例胆囊管梗阻中1例引流管脱落,1例保留至8周后手术。28例结石性胆囊炎接受延期手术：25例LC,2例经窦道行胆道镜胆囊取石,1例伴有胆总管结石因发现有腹膜后肿物（肾上腺肿物）行开腹手术。另4例胆总管结石中,2例在LC同时行胆道镜取石,2例LC后行内镜下十二指肠乳头切开取石术。无死亡,无胆道损伤等严重并发症。结论 对于急性胆囊炎的老年病人,结合使用PTGBD和延期的LC是安全和有效的。     

残余胆囊结石与急性胰腺炎8例分析

目的 探讨残余胆囊结石与急性胰腺炎发作的关系及其外科治疗方法.方法 回顾性分析1998年6月-2007年12月期间收治的13例残余胆囊结石患者的临床资料,就其中8例残余胆囊结石与急性胰腺炎作相关分析.13例患者均于2～9年前行过胆囊切除手术,术后首次出现症状的时间为1个月～8年.均行B超、CT、磁共振胰胆管造影(MRCP)检查等诊断为残余胆囊.结果 术后证实其中2例为泥沙样色素结石;6例为胆固醇结石(0.2～0.5 cm,平均3.2 cm);1例合并胰胆管合流异常(anomalous pancreaticobiliar ductal union,APBDU);5例无异常发现;8例(61.5%)合并急性胰腺炎发作史.患者均行残余胆囊切除术,行胆总管囊肿切除和胆肠Roux-en-Y内引流1例,胆总管切开取石T管引流3例.术后随访8例残余胆囊结石,6例无胰腺炎发作,2例仍有胰腺炎发作,术前术后急性胰腺炎发作比较P=0.019,P<0.0 5.5例无结石患者术后全部无胰腺炎发作.结论 合并有结石的残余胆囊患者易发生急性胰腺炎,对患者行残余胆囊切除治疗可减少胰腺炎发作.     

Acute acalculous cholecystitis after cardiovascular surgery

The development of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) after cardiovascular surgery is an infrequent but devastating complication, the etiology and management of which remains controversial. To evaluate the etiology, treatment, and outcome of patients with AAC, the cases of six patients encountered within an 8-year period who developed AAC after cardiovascular surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were reviewed. Atherosclerotic risk factors including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking were evident in five patients, three of whom had a history of stroke or arteriosclerosis obliterans, while low cardiac output was recognized in three. Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy was performed in five patients, and another required cholecystectomy for peritonitis due to gangrene of the gallbladder. Two patients died of respiratory failure and sepsis after 15 and 82 days of percutaneous drainage, respectively; however, the four survivors had an excellent outcome without any biliary tract disease during a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years. In conclusion, AAC after cardiovascular surgery may result from hypoperfusion of the gallbladder due to various factors including CPB, visceral atherosclerosis, and low cardiac output. We advocate early percutaneous cholecystostomy for patients without peritonitis, while early cholecystectomy is indicated for those with peritonitis.     

Partial cholecystectomy as a safe and viable option in the emergency treatment of complex acute cholecystitis: a case series and review of the literature

Partial cholecystectomy (PC) is an alternative choice to standard cholecystectomy in situations with increased risk of Calot's components injury. We reported our experience with the patients treated with PC and reviewed the literature. Fifty-four patients with complex acute cholecystitis underwent PC, including conventional partial cholecystectomy (CPC; n = 48) and laparoscopic partial cholecystectomy (LPC; n = 6). The clinical diagnosis was verified by ultrasonography. In addition, we reviewed 1190 published cases (1972-2005) who underwent a "nonconventional" surgery for severe cholecystitis, including cholecystostomy, CPC, or LPC. Review of the literature, including our cases, showed a male:female ratio of 1.3:1. The major operative indication was severe acute cholecystitis. Procedures included cholecystostomy (65.8%) and PC (34.2%). In the follow-up (n = 1190), biliary leak (4.8%), retained stones (4.6%), recurrent symptoms (2.3%), wound infections (1.9%), persistent biliary fistula (0.9%), and prolonged biliary drainage (0.2%) were found, with an overall mortality rate of 9.4 per cent. In 133 patients, because of postoperative complications (e.g., recurrent symptoms, remaining common bile duct stones, or persistence of bile fistula), reoperation was necessary, including 121 cases (90.1%) of cholecystectomy, whereas the other 11 patients underwent other procedures such as common bile duct exploration or closure of the fistula. The surgical trend for complex acute cholecystitis treatment has been changed from only cholecystostomy to a spectrum of cholecystostomy, CPC, and LPC with the progressive increase of PC. The proportion of the LPC compared with CPC has also increased during recent years. It seems that PC is a safe procedure for treating complicated acute cholecystitis. Whether the indication and need for alternative techniques to standard cholecystectomy is changing should be evaluated in future studies.     

An endoscopic method of the treatment of complicated acute calculous cholecystitis

Surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis attended by an affection of the extrahepatic bile ducts often leads to severe complications, particularly in elderly and old-aged patients, the mortality rate in such cases reaches 5-12%. The authors developed and introduced into practice a method of endoscopic treatment of acute combined diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts, which included endoscopic papillotomy, antegrade catheterization of the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystostomy, transhepatic gallbladder drainage), antegrade perfusion with antiseptics under pressure, and various types of ante- and retrograde lithotripsy. Endoscopic method of treatment of combined diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts makes it possible to remove the acute inflammatory process and in some cases may be an alternative to an emergency surgical operation.