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CholecystectomyDRECONNCT07655778

EUS-Guided Gallbladder Drainage Versus Conservative Management in Patients Unfit for Surgery After a Biliary Event Without Cholecystitis. DRECON Study

A study testing EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) and Conservative management (CM) in people with Cholecystectomy and Gallbladder, run by Hospital Mutua de Terrassa.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Cholecystectomy is considered the standard definitive treatment after an acute biliary event (biliary colic, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, or choledocholithiasis). However, in elderly patients and/or those with significant comorbidities, surgery is often not feasible, leaving this population at high risk of biliary… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) and Conservative management (CM)
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
110 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Jul 2026to 1 Jul 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients ≥ 18 years of age
  • Patients who have experienced a benign biliary event (biliary colic, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, or choledocholithiasis) and are candidates for elective cholecystectomy
  • Patients deemed unfuit for surgery (age ≥ 80 years, ASA score ≥ 3, Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 5) or who voluntarily refuse surgery
  • Diagnosis of lithogenic/lithiasic material in the gallbladder by imaging (biliary sludge, microlithiasis, and/or cholelithiasis)
  • Signed informed consent

Who cannot join

  • No signed informed consent
  • Prior cholecystectomy
  • Biliary event secondary to malignant etiology
  • Acute cholecystitis diagnosed according to Tokyo 2018 criteria
  • Moderate-to-severe ascites without prior paracentesis
  • Perforated gallbladder
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Severe coagulopathy (INR > 1.5) or thrombocytopenia (platelets < 50,000/μL) not correctable
  • Any clinical condition preventing sedation
  • Patient dependent for daily activities (ECOG ≥ 4)

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Official title: Multicenter Comparative Clinical Trial: EUS-Guided Gallbladder Drainage Versus Conservative Management in Patients Unfit for Surgery After a Biliary Event Without Cholecystitis. DRECON Study: (DRainage, Endoscopic Ultrasound, CONservative)

Cholecystectomy is considered the standard definitive treatment after an acute biliary event (biliary colic, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, or choledocholithiasis). However, in elderly patients and/or those with significant comorbidities, surgery is often not feasible, leaving this population at high risk of biliary event recurrence (approximately 25-31% per year without treatment).

EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is an established endoscopic technique currently recommended for acute cholecystitis in patients unfit for surgery. It creates an internal fistula between the gallbladder and the adjacent digestive tract, allowing direct endoscopic access for stone clearance (cholecystoscopy). This approach could theoretically prevent biliary event recurrence similarly to cholecystectomy.

Read more

The DRECON study (DRainaige, Endoscopic ultrasound, CONservative) is a multicenter, randomized, comparative clinical trial evaluating whether EUS-GBD with LAMS reduces biliary recurrence at 1 year compared to conservative managment (CM) in patients unfit for surgery after a biliary event without acute cholecystitis who are candidates for elective cholecystectomy.

Primary hypothesis: EUS-GBD will reduce the risk of biliary event recurrence (biliary colic, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, choledocholithiasis, or cholecystitis) at 1 year of follow-up compared to conservative management in patients unfit for surgery with gallbladder lithiasis.

Estimated sample: 110 patients (55 per arm). Randomization 1:1 (EUS-GBD vs CM), stratified by centre and prior biliary sphincterotomy. Duration: 24 months recruitment + 12 months follow-up (total 3 years).

Participating centres: Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa (coordinating centre), Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Hospital General de Granollers, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Hospital Universitari de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Hospital General Universitario Dr Balmis and Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña.

Being tested
EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD), Conservative management (CM)
Keywords
gallbladder, gallblader drainage, conservative treatment, biliary recurrence, cholecystectomy, Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
Medical subject headings
Cholelithiasis, Cholangitis, Choledocholithiasis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD)Procedure or surgery

    Endoscopic procedure under CO2 insufflation using a therapeutic linear echoendoscope (therapeutic channel >3.7 mm). A cholecystogastrostomy or cholecystoduodenostomy is created by deploying a LAMS between the gallbladder and the gastric antrum or duodenal bulb (operator's choice). A coaxial double-pigtail plastic stent (7Fr, 3-5 cm) is placed through the LAMS.

  • Conservative management (CM)Other

    Standard supportive medical care will be determined by the treating medical team according to clinical evolution (analgesia, fluid support, antibiotic therapy, etc.). Patients with lithogenic material in the extrahepatic bile duct confirmed by imaging or EUS will undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Study groups in NCT07655778
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
EUS-GBDExperimentalNot described
Receives: Procedure: EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD)
CMActive comparatorNot described
Receives: Other: Conservative management (CM)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Clinical biliary recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up

    Percentage of patients presenting a new biliary event (biliary colic, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, choledocholithiasis, or cholecystitis) defined according to Tokyo 2018 guidelines and revised Atlanta 2012 criteria.

    Measured: 12 months after procedure (in experimental Arm 1- EUS-GBD) or randomization (in case of Arm 2 - CM)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Jun 2026
  2. Study start1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion1 Jul 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Jul 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
110 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07655778
Sponsor's protocol ID
E/26-045
Acronym
DRECON
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
12 Jun 2026
Last updated
22 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Garcia-Sumalla A, Loras C, Guarner-Argente C, Velasquez-Rodriguez JG, Andujar X, Salord S, Busquets J, Tebe C, Laquente B, Gornals JB. Is a coaxial plastic stent within a lumen-apposing metal stent useful for the management of distal malignant biliary obstruction? Surg Endosc. 2021 Aug;35(8):4873-4881. doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08435-9. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

    PubMed 33721090
  • Bazaga S, Garcia-Alonso FJ, Aparicio Tormo JR, Martinez Moreno B, Sanchiz V, Suria C, Garcia-Sumalla A, Gornals JB, Chavarria C, Loras C, Garcia-Fernandez FJ, Teran A, Vazquez-Sequeiros E, Pedraza Sanz R, Perez-Carazo L, Subtil JC, Perez-Millan A, Uceda Porta F, Busto Bea V, de la Serna-Higuera C, Pinto Garcia I, Colan-Hernandez J, Huertas C, Guarner-Argente C, Perez-Miranda M; RNPAL (Registro nacional de protesis de aposicion luminal [national lumen-apposing metal stent registry]) study group. Endoscopic removal of lumen-apposing metal stents - risk factors for stent embedment, complex removals, and adverse events: analysis from a multicenter prospective case series. Endoscopy. 2023 Jul;55(7):591-598. doi: 10.1055/a-2030-4158. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

    PubMed 36882089
  • Martinez-Moreno B, Lopez-Roldan G, Escuer J, Gornals JB, Loras C, Gordo A, Vila J, Bazaga S, Dura M, Sanchiz V, Zaragoza N, Gonzalez-Huix F, Repiso A, Aparicio JR. Outcomes of a multicenter registry on EUS-guided gallbladder drainage as a rescue technique for malignant distal biliary obstruction after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Endosc Ultrasound. 2025 Mar-Apr;14(2):73-78. doi: 10.1097/eus.0000000000000116. Epub 2025 May 5.

    PubMed 40385966
  • Sumalla-Garcia A, Aparicio-Tormo JR, Pedraza-Sanz R, Sanchiz-Soler V, De-la-Serna Higuera C, Andujar X, Vazquez-Sequeiros E, Puigcerver-Mas M, Martinez-Moreno B, Barbera T, Capilla-Lozano M, Martinez-Ortega A, Foruny-Olcina JR, Luna-Rodriguez D, Garcia-Lerma E, Penafiel J, Busquets Barenys J, Laquente-Saez B, Perez-Miranda M, Videla S, Loras C, Gornals JB; Spanish Working Group on Endoscopic Ultrasound Biliary Drainage. Lumen-Apposing Stents With or Without Pigtail in Endosonography-Guided Biliary Drainage for Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026 Mar;24(3):678-687.e21. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2025.05.025. Epub 2025 Jul 21.

    PubMed 40701486
  • Troncone E, Amendola R, Moscardelli A, De Cristofaro E, De Vico P, Paoluzi OA, Monteleone G, Perez-Miranda M, Del Vecchio Blanco G. Endoscopic Gallbladder Drainage: A Comprehensive Review on Indications, Techniques, and Future Perspectives. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Apr 14;60(4):633. doi: 10.3390/medicina60040633.

    PubMed 38674279
  • Bazaga S, Garcia-Alonso FJ, Aparicio Tormo JR, Martinez Moreno B, Sanchiz V, Gornals JB, Loras C, Teran A, Vazquez-Sequeiros E, Pedraza Sanz R, Subtil JC, Perez-Millan A, Uceda Porta F, Vila JJ, de la Serna-Higuera C, Couto-Worner I, Guarner-Argente C, Perez-Miranda M; RNPAL (Registro nacional de protesis de aposicion luminal, national lumen-apposing metal stent registry) study group. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage with long-term lumen-apposing metal stent indwell: 1-year results from a prospective nationwide observational study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Feb;39(2):360-368. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16392. Epub 2023 Nov 3.

    PubMed 37920889
  • Flynn DJ, Memel Z, Hernandez-Barco Y, Visrodia KH, Casey BW, Krishnan K. Outcomes of EUS-guided transluminal gallbladder drainage in patients without cholecystitis. Endosc Ultrasound. 2021 Sep-Oct;10(5):381-386. doi: 10.4103/EUS-D-21-00040.

    PubMed 34677160
  • Koutlas NJ, Pawa S, Russell G, Pawa R. Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Gallbladder Drainage: Beyond Cholecystitis. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Jun 1;13(11):1933. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13111933.

    PubMed 37296785
  • Robles-Medranda C, Oleas R, Puga-Tejada M, Alcivar-Vasquez J, Del Valle R, Olmos J, Arevalo-Mora M, Egas-Izquierdo M, Tabacelia D, Baquerizo-Burgos J, Pitanga-Lukashok H. Prophylactic EUS-guided gallbladder drainage prevents acute cholecystitis in patients with malignant biliary obstruction and cystic duct orifice involvement: a randomized trial (with video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2023 Mar;97(3):445-453. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2022.10.037. Epub 2022 Nov 1.

    PubMed 36328209
  • van Wanrooij RLJ, Bronswijk M, Kunda R, Everett SM, Lakhtakia S, Rimbas M, Hucl T, Badaoui A, Law R, Arcidiacono PG, Larghi A, Giovannini M, Khashab MA, Binmoeller KF, Barthet M, Perez-Miranda M, van Hooft JE, van der Merwe SW. Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technical Review. Endoscopy. 2022 Mar;54(3):310-332. doi: 10.1055/a-1738-6780. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

    PubMed 35114696
  • Teoh AY, Perez-Miranda M, Kunda R, Lee SS, Irani S, Yeaton P, Sun S, Baron TH, Moon JH, Holt B, Khor CJL, Rerknimitr R, Bapaye A, Chan SM, Choi HJ, James TW, Kongkam P, Lee YN, Parekh P, Ridtitid W, Serna-Higuera C, Tan DMY, Torres-Yuste R. Outcomes of an international multicenter registry on EUS-guided gallbladder drainage in patients at high risk for cholecystectomy. Endosc Int Open. 2019 Aug;7(8):E964-E973. doi: 10.1055/a-0915-2098. Epub 2019 Jul 24.

    PubMed 31367676
  • Canakis A, Tugarinov N, Deliwala S, Twery B, Miro-Gonzalez A, Beran A, Gorman EF, Hathorn K, Gilman AJ, Chawla S, Irani SS, Baron TH. Clinical outcomes of Endoscopic ultrasound--guided gallbladder drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis with >/=1 year of follow-up: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2026 Jan;103(1):48-56.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2025.07.025. Epub 2025 Jul 22.

    PubMed 40706905
  • Martinez-Moreno B, Lopez-Roldan G, Martinez-Sempere J, de-Madaria E, Jover R, Aparicio JR. Long-term results after EUS gallbladder drainage in high-surgical-risk patients with acute cholecystitis: A 3-year follow-up registry. Endosc Int Open. 2023 Nov 10;11(11):E1063-E1068. doi: 10.1055/a-2180-9817. eCollection 2023 Nov.

    PubMed 37954111
  • David Y, Kakked G, Confer B, Shah R, Khara H, Diehl DL, Krafft MR, Shah-Khan SM, Nasr JY, Benias P, Trindade A, Muniraj T, Aslanian H, Chahal P, Rodriguez J, Adler DG, Dubroff J, De Latour R, Tzimas D, Khanna L, Haber G, Goodman AJ, Hoerter N, Pandey N, Bakhit M, Kowalski TE, Loren D, Chiang A, Schlachterman A, Nieto J, Deshmukh A, Ichkhanian Y, Khashab MA, El Halabi M, Kwon RS, Prabhu A, Hernandez-Lara A, Storm A, Berzin TM, Poneros J, Sethi A, Gonda TA, Kushnir V, Cosgrove N, Mullady D, Al-Shahrani A, D'Souza L, Buscaglia J, Bucobo JC, Rolston V, Kedia P, Kasmin F, Nagula S, Kumta NA, DiMaio C. US multicenter outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage with lumen-apposing metal stents for acute cholecystitis. Endosc Int Open. 2025 Jan 13;13:a24955542. doi: 10.1055/a-2495-5542. eCollection 2025.

    PubMed 39958659
  • Lisotti A, Linguerri R, Bacchilega I, Cominardi A, Marocchi G, Fusaroli P. EUS-guided gallbladder drainage in high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis-procedure outcomes and evaluation of mortality predictors. Surg Endosc. 2022 Jan;36(1):569-578. doi: 10.1007/s00464-021-08318-z. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

    PubMed 33507383

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) and Conservative management (CM) in people with Cholecystectomy and Gallbladder, run by Hospital Mutua de Terrassa.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Emma Sudrià López (937 36 50 50, malaltiaceliaca@mutuaterrrassa.cat), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Clinical biliary recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up (time frame: 12 months after procedure (in experimental Arm 1- EUS-GBD) or randomization (in case of Arm 2 - CM)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07655778, which also lists 27 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Jun 2026.

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