Clinical efficacy and safety of therapeutic ERCP for patients over 80 years

Objective To investigate the efficacy and complications of therapeutic ERCP for patients over 80 years. Methods Data of 80 patients aging over 80 years, who tnderwent therapeutic ERCP from August 2007 to August 2009 were retrospectively studied. The etiology, complications and therapeutic effects were evaluated. Results A total of 51 patients （63. 8% ） were accompanied by cardiovascular diseases, and 43 patients were diagnosed as having malignant bile duct stricture （53. 8% ）. The overail therapeutic efficacy was 96. 3%. The incidence of post-operative complications was 12. 5% （10/80）. Occurrence of complications in patients with malignant tumors （ 18. 6% ） was significantly higher than that in patients with bile duct stones （5.6% ,P 〈0. 05）. Incidence of complications in those with cardiopulmonary diseases was similar with that in patients without （11.8% vs. 13.8%,P〉0.05）. Conclusion Age more than 80should not be considered as contraindication of ERCP. Therapeutic ERCP is effective in senior patients. Patients with advanced ages shows a relatively high incidence of complication after ERCP, which may not be related to other accompanying diseases. Key words: Age, 80 and over;  Cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde;  Therapy