Abstract:Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment for acute cholecystitis. However, patients at high surgical risk face significant challenges with general anesthesia, and the associated risk of early postoperative complications and mortality remains high. Consequently, a range of minimally invasive, rapid, and effective gallbladder drainage techniques have emerged, including percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage. These procedures not only provide effective gallbladder decompression to alleviate acute symptoms but also create the possibility for subsequent elective surgery once the patient is stabilized. This article reviews the historical background, technical challenges and innovations, patient selection criteria, effectiveness, adverse events, and treatment costs associated with endoscopic transduodenal papilla gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis management.