Radiology - Cholecystostomy

A guide to your cholecystostomy (gallbladder drainage)

What is cholecystostomy?

Cholecystostomy is a procedure to place a drain (thin tube) in the gallbladder. It is done to drain infected and blocked gallbladder fluid. It allows the acute inflammation and infection to settle down until it resolves, or a further treatment is carried out.

How is it done?

Cholecystostomy is performed by a radiologist, who is a specially trained doctor who will use image guidance to site the drain.

The procedure is done under sterile conditions and with ultrasound or under x-ray guidance.

Initially the skin is cleaned, and then local anaesthesia is given to numb the area, which can sting as it is injected. This will help with pain control.

Under ultrasound guidance, a drain is then placed in the gallbladder. You should not feel any sharp pain after the anaesthetic but may experience a pushing sensation.

How long does it take?

Although the actual drain insertion takes around 20 minutes, patients usually spend about 30 minutes in the department. You can ask any questions you have before it starts.

What are the risks?

• If the gallbladder is infected, antibiotics will usually have been given already. There is small risk that infection might be released into your bloodstream, making you unwell for a short period of time
• There is a small risk of bleeding. Your blood will be checked to ensure that you are not at increased risk of this. If you take blood thinning tablets, such as Warfarin, you must let your doctors know
• Rarely, if bleeding continues and is severe, then a blood transfusion or further radiological procedure may be required. In extremely rare circumstances, an operation may be necessary
• The risk of injury to the bowel or internal organs is small but this is reduced as the procedure is image guided

What happens after the procedure?

• The drain is self-locking and secured in place with an adhesive dressing and a bag is placed over the drain
• If it gets blocked or falls out accidentally, the referring doctor will request further imaging and procedure can be done again if necessary
• If you go home with the drain still in place you will be provided instructions by the nursing team as how to care for the drain and bags and whom to contact should it come out

How long is the drain required?

The drain is required for a short period until the infection and inflammation settle down. This may be days to weeks but is difficult to predict. If you go home with the drain in place the medical team will explain to you what they expect to happen with it and plan for follow up. If it is to remain permanently (this is rare) it may need to be changed. The decision to remove the drain is made by your doctor.

How is the drain removed?

When it is decided by medical staff that the drain is no longer required, the drain is unlocked, often by cutting the end off and simply pulled out by a trained member of staff. This is decided by the consultant in charge of your care, or one of the team members. This should not be painful, but a pulling sensation may be experienced. There is occasionally some bile leakage from the drain site which will settle down and just needs a dressing placed over it.

Who should I contact in case of a problem?

Patients are encouraged to contact the medical or surgical team looking after them. These details should be available from the ward staff, or if you are an outpatient then via the relevant consultant’s secretary.

Could you be pregnant?

If there is any chance you could be pregnant, please call 0161 206 5091 if your appointment is at Salford Royal Hospital, or please call 0161 656 1178 if your appointment is at Royal Oldham Hospital.

Is x-ray guidance dangerous?

All x-ray machines use potentially harmful x-rays. Modern equipment is designed to keep the dose you receive as low as possible. If your doctor has asked for this test, they will have decided that the benefits from the procedure outweigh the risks from the very small dose of radiation that you receive.

What if I cannot attend my appointment?

If you have any queries about your appointment or cannot attend, then please telephone the booking office on 0161 206 2044/2404 (Salford Royal Hospital) or 0161 624 0420 (Royal Oldham Hospital) Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm.

You can also email:
booking.radiology@nca.nhs.uk (Salford Royal Hospital)
bookingandscheduling.outpatients@nca.nhs.uk (Royal Oldham Hospital)

Please include name, date of birth, address and hospital number (if known) in any correspondence.

I need an ambulance. How do I arrange one?

If you need an ambulance there are contact details on your appointment letter.

Please contact us if you are arriving by ambulance so we can time your appointment with your ambulance arrival. If we are not aware that you are coming by ambulance you may miss your appointment and it may have to be rebooked.

If you need an interpreter

If you need an interpreter for your examination, please call the department so that we can try and arrange this.

Contact Details

We hope your questions have been answered by this leaflet.

If you require help or any other information regarding your appointment you can contact:

The Angiography Department, Salford Royal Hospital Tel: 0161 206 2206/5091
Interventional Radiology, Royal Oldham Hospital Tel: 0161 656 1178