Ultrasonic Mucosectomy of the Gallbladder: A Histological Analysis

The Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) may be used to remove mucosa of organs of the gastro-intestinal tract. A histological analysis was performed on gallbladders treated with a CUSA-mucosectomy to assess the extent and degree of mucosectomy and to evaluate parietal damage. The histological studies performed on three specimens of chronic cholecystitis revealed a complete mucosectomy except in areas where Rokitansky-Aschof sinuses were present. There was no evidence of parietal damage. The CUSA may be used to remove the mucosa of gallbladders without injury to other layers, and may have a potential application in procedures such as mucosal cholecystectomy.