Can endoscopic sphincterotomy be performed safely in elderly patients aged 80 years or older with pancreatic and biliary diseases?

摘要

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can be usefully and safely performed in elderly patients aged 80 years or older. Methodology: The eligible patients with pancreatic and biliary diseases who required EST were divided into two groups depending on their age: under 80 (group A) and 80 or older (group B). Patient characteristics, EST success rate and incidence of the related complications were evaluated. Results: Of the 720 patients who required EST, 522 patients were in group A and 198 in group B. Group B incidences of patient characteristics at baseline disease and anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy were significantly higher than in group A (p<0.05). The EST success rates were 97.1% (507/522) in group A and 96.5% (191/198) in group B. The incidences of the related complications were 8.8% (46/522) in group A and 4% (8/198) in group B, respectively, again without significant difference. Conclusions: The EST success rate and the incidence of related complications were comparable between patients in groups A and B, indicating that EST can be safely performed even in the elderly aged 80 years or older.