Endoscopic biliary endoprosthesis in elderly patients with large bile duct stones: long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term evolution of elderly patients with large or impacted bile duct stones, treated by an endoscopic biliary endoprosthesis.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Tertiary care center.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with a mean (+/- SD) age of 86 +/- 5 years (range, 77-97 years). On admission, 96% were highly symptomatic. These patients represent 8.4% of a group of 273 elderly patients (greater than or equal to 70 years old) with choledocholithiasis treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy between November 1984 and May 1989.


METHODS
Endoscopic insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis.


RESULTS
Eight-seven percent (20/23) remained completely free of biliary symptoms and died of unrelated illness (48%) after a mean follow-up of 23 months or are still alive (39%) with a mean follow-up of 52 months. In four cases, this asymptomatic evolution now extends for more than 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis offers an effective method for long-term treatment of non-extractable biliary stones in elderly patients.
Van Steenbergen
W
W
Department of Internal Medicine, UZ Gasthuisberg, K.U. Leuven, Belgium.
Pelemans
W
W
Fevery
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents