Endoscopic Management of Gallbladder Stones: Can We Eliminate Cholecystectomy?

The gold standard for the management of acute cholecystitis is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In patients that are not fit for surgery, percutaneous cholecystostomy is the standard treatment. However, the procedure is only a temporary measure for controlling gallbladder symptoms and it is frequently associated with morbidities. Recently, endoscopic options for management of acute cholecystitis have been developed. The approach avoids the need for a percutaneous drain and may allow endoscopic treatment of the gallstone. The aim of this article is to provide an overview on the current status of endoscopic management of acute cholecystitis.