Assessment of frequency and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients over 80 years of age

Abstract

Introduction: Biliary and pancreatic diseases, especially choledocholithiasis and neoplastic diseases, are commonly seen in elderly patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure performed more and more frequently also in elderly patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility and safety of ERCP in patients > 80 years of age.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 821 ERCP performed in the Department of Gastrointestinal Diseases, Medical University of Łódź in the years 2005-2007. We compared age, sex, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, ERCP efficacy and safety in patients > 80 years of age versus younger subjects.

Results: ERCP was performed in 96 patients > 80 years of age (11.7%). ERCP-related complications occured in 48 (5.8%) patients, including 44 (6.1%) younger and 4 (4.2%) older subjects (p > 0.05). Acute pancreatitis was observed in 34 patients (32 [4.4%] younger and 2 [2.1%] older patients; p > 0.05). In 12 patients gastrointestinal hemorrhage and in 2 patients perforation were diagnosed. There was no statistical difference between the number of complications in the 2 compared patient groups. A mean length of hospital stay was similar in both groups, 4.8 days in the younger, and 5.7 days in older patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: ERCP is a safe and effective method for diagnosis and treatment of both elderly and younger patients.