ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) combined with early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the treatment of elderly patients with high-risk acute cholecystitis.MethodsThe clinical data of 128 elderly patients with high-risk acute cholecystitis admitted to Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery in Dazhou Central Hospital from January 2015 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 62 patients underwent PTGBD combined with early LC treatment (PTGBD+early LC group), 66 patients underwent PTGBD combined with delayed LC treatment (PTGBD+delayed LC group). Comparison was performed on the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, conversion to laparotomy rate, postoperative indwelling time, postoperative hospitalization time, total hospitalization time, and complication.ResultsPTGBD was successfully performed in all patients, and the symptoms were relieved within 72 hours. There was no significant difference in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, conversion to laparotomy rate, postoperative indwelling time, postoperative hospitalization time, and total complication rate between the two groups (P>0.05), but the total hospitalization time of the PTGBD+early LC group was shorter than that of the PTGBD+delayed LC group (P<0.001). There was no second operation and death in both two groups. The 128 patients were followed-up for 2–50 months with a average of 19 months. Results of follow-up after operation showed that the patients did not complain of obvious abdominal pain, abdominal distension, chills, fever, jaundice, and other discomforts.ConclusionsFor elderly patients with high-risk acute cholecystitis, early LC is a safe and effective treatment for patients with good overall condition after PTGBD. It can not only shorten the total hospitalization time, but also significantly shorten the time of tube-taking and improve the quality of life of patients. It has important clinical application value.