title: Is ERCP both effective and safe for common bile duct stones removal in octogenarians? A comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some studies have investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for octogenarians, but more and larger comparative studies are still needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2008 to June 2011, patients who underwent ERCP for common bile duct stone removal were included and divided into three groups, based upon their age. Basic information, medical records, and ERCP operation notes were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  868 patients were included, with 474 patients in Group 1 (<65 years old), 281 patients in Group 2 (≥65 years old and <80 years old), and 113 patients in Group 3 (≥80 years old). No difference was observed regarding the rate of complete stone removal and hospital stay among the three groups. Pancreatitis occurred more frequently in Group 1 than Group 3, and the incidence of pancreatitis in Group 2 had no statistical difference when compared with Group 1 or Group 3. The occurrence of biliary infection, hemorrhage, perforation, and other complications was not statistically different among the three groups. The mortality directly related to the ERCP procedure was zero (0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ERCP is an effective and safe therapeutic method for stone removal in octogenarians, and age per se should not be a contraindication to endoscopic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
authors.forename: Li-Ke
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Bie
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China. gbercp616@163.com.
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D003135:Common Bile Duct; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Common bile duct stones; Complication; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Endoscopic sphincterotomy; Octogenarians