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Mohan SL, Vaithiyam V. Standardising minimally invasive management in surgically unfit patients requiring cholecystectomy: Overview of current recommendations and future directions. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(10): 118978 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.118978]
World J Gastrointest Surg. Oct 27, 2026; 18(10): 118978 Published online Oct 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.118978
Standardising minimally invasive management in surgically unfit patients requiring cholecystectomy: Overview of current recommendations and future directions
Supraja Laguduva Mohan, Venkatesh Vaithiyam
Supraja Laguduva Mohan, Department of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
Venkatesh Vaithiyam, Department of Gastroenterology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi 110002, India
Author contributions: Mohan SL performed the literature review and wrote the original draft; Vaithiyam V contributed to the conceptualisation, writing, reviewing, and editing; both authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Venkatesh Vaithiyam, DM, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Second Floor, Academic Block, New Delhi 110002, India. venkateshvaithiyam172@gmail.com
Received: January 16, 2026 Revised: February 3, 2026 Accepted: March 10, 2026 Published online: October 27, 2026 Processing time: 276 Days and 15.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) has traditionally been the primary treatment for surgically unfit patients with acute cholecystitis; however, endoscopic gallbladder drainage techniques, such as endoscopic transpapillary drainage and endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage, are emerging as effective alternatives with fewer reinterventions and enhanced patient comfort. While endoscopic procedures are preferred over PC whenever possible, PC with standardized protocols is still beneficial, especially due to wider availability, bedside feasibility and as it can be performed under local anaesthesia without the requirement of sedation or general anaesthesia. A multidisciplinary and standardized approach is crucial for optimizing the outcomes.
