Call for action: Increased healthcare utilization with growing use of percutaneous cholecystectomy tube over initial cholecystectomy in cirrhotics

Background: Acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) is frequently seen in cirrhotics, with some being poor candidates for initial cholecystectomy. Instead, these patients may undergo percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) placement. We studied the healthcare utilization and predictors of cholecystectomy and PCT in patients with ACC. Methods: The National Database was queried to study all cirrhotics and non-cirrhotics with ACC between 2010-2014 who underwent initial PCT (with or without follow-up cholecystectomy) or cholecystectomy. Cirrhotic patients were divided into compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Independent predictors and outcomes of initial PCT and failure to undergo subsequent cholecystectomy were studied. Results: Out of 919 189 patients with ACC, 13 283 (1.4%) had cirrhosis. Among cirrhotics, cholecystec-tomy was performed in 12 790 (96.3%) and PCT in the remaining 493 (3.7%). PCT was more frequent in cirrhotics (3.7%) than in non-cirrhotics (1.4%). Multivariate analyses showed increased early readmis-sions [odds ratio (OR) = 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-3.13, P < 0.001], length of stay (effect ratio = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.20-1.61, P < 0.001), calendar-year hospital cost (effect ratio = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.28- 1.39, P < 0.001) and calendar-year mortality (hazard ratio = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.07-3.29, P = 0.030) in cir-rhotics undergoing initial PCT compared to cholecystectomy. Decompensated cirrhosis (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.67-3.03, P < 0.001) had the highest odds of getting initial PCT. Cirrhosis, regardless of compensated (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.90, P = 0.020) or decompensated (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.14-0.59, P < 0.001), reduced the chances of getting a subsequent cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Cirrhotic patients undergo fewer cholecystectomy incurring initial PCT instead. Moreover, the rates of follow-up cholecystectomy are lower in cirrhotics. Increased healthcare utilization is seen with initial PCT amongst cirrhotic patients. This situation reflects suboptimal management of ACC in cirrhotics and a call for action. (c) 2021 First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Patients with cirrhosis often undergo percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) placement instead of cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC). Initial PCT in cirrhotic patients is associated with increased healthcare utilization and decreased rates of subsequent cholecystectomy.