[ERCP for benign disease in the elderly: a good prognosis]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Hepatobiliary Medicine
• Endoscopic Procedures

Context:

• Biliary disease is common in the elderly population (over 80 years).
• Diagnosing and treating biliary disease in this age group presents unique challenges.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a key intervention for biliary conditions.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in patients aged 80 and older.
• To assess complication rates and therapeutic success of ERCP in the very elderly.
• To determine the role of ERCP in managing benign biliary disease in geriatric patients.

Summary:

• A retrospective study analyzed 133 ERCP procedures in 100 patients (age 80+) with benign biliary disease.
• Indications included common bile duct stones (94.4%) and stent placement (4%).
• Therapeutic procedures were successful in 96.8% with good patient tolerance and low short-term complications (4-5%), and no early mortality.

Impact:

• ERCP demonstrates a favorable safety profile and high therapeutic success in elderly patients (80+).
• This study supports the use of ERCP as a viable option for managing benign biliary disease in the geriatric population.
• Findings contribute to evidence-based guidelines for endoscopic interventions in older adults.