RecruitingNot Applicable

Cholecystitis Outcomes in the Investigation of Cholecystectomy Versus EUS-GBD

Finland116 participantsStarted 2026-02-01

Plain-language summary

Acute cholecystitis is common in elderly patients and becomes more frequent with increasing age. Standard treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCC), but operative treatment may be associated with increased risk in older patients with substantial comorbidity or reduced tolerance of general anesthesia. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is a minimally invasive internal drainage procedure performed through the stomach or duodenum using endoscopic ultrasound guidance and a lumen-apposing metal stent. This approach may provide an alternative to operative treatment in selected elderly patients. The CHOICE study (CHolecystitis Outcomes in the Investigation of Cholecystectomy versus EUS-GBD) is a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing EUS-GBD with LCC in patients aged 75 years or older with acute cholecystitis. Participants are randomly assigned to undergo either laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder or endoscopic ultrasound-guided internal gallbladder drainage. The objective of the study is to determine whether EUS-GBD provides clinically acceptable outcomes compared with standard operative treatment in this patient population. Participants are followed using medical record review and scheduled follow-up contacts.

Who can participate

Age range

75 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 75 years or older. * Radiologically confirmed acute cholecystitis. * Elevated inflammatory parameters. * Able to provide written informed consent. * Able to complete follow-up questionnaires. Exclusion Criteria: * Age under 75 years. * Considered unfit for surgery. * ASA physical status classification below III. * Unwillingness to participate in follow-up assessments. * Lack of written informed consent. * Clinical Frailty Scale score of 8 or higher.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Recurrence rate of cholecystitis within 24 months

Timeframe: From the index intervention to 24 months after the index intervention

Length of index hospital stay

Timeframe: From hospital admission for acute cholecystitis to discharge from the index hospitalization, assessed up to 90 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07678541

SponsorOulu University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2028-02-28

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Acute Cholecystitis trials