Chemical cholecystectomy: experimental study

ABSTRACT

Gallbladder [GB] mucosal ablation is called chemical cholecystectomy [CC], which is proposed as an alternative to removal of the GB. This study assessed the efficacy of two sclerosants [tetracycline and ethanolamine oleate] in producing CC. Two groups of dogs [5 per group] were submitted to this study. After ligation of cystic duct the GB mucosa was treated with 5% tetracycline solution in group A and 5% ethanolamine oleate in group B. Group A animals developed partial mucosal destruction, whereas those of group B developed complete mucosal destruction with fibrosis. No damage was detected in common bile duct in either group. No damage was detected in the liver of group A animals, whereas those of group B developed inflammatory cellular reaction and fibrosis in the pericystic hepatic tissue. One dog of group B developed subphrenic abscess. Ethanolamine oleate was more decisive in producing CC than tetracycline, but with a drawback of inflammation and fibrosis of the surrounding liver tissue