Published online Apr 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.353
Peer-review started: July 8, 2014
First decision: August 14, 2014
Revised: November 24, 2014
Accepted: February 9, 2015
Article in press: February 11, 2015
Published online: April 16, 2015
AIM: To investigate whether endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) can be safety and effectively performed in patients aged ≥ 80 years.
METHODS: Lithotomy by EPLBD was conducted in 106 patients with bile duct stones ≥ 13 mm in size or with three or more bile duct stones ≥ 10 mm. The patients were divided into group A (< 80 years) and group B (≥ 80 years). Procedure success rate, number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCP), and incidence of complications were examined in both groups.
RESULTS: Group B tended to include significantly more patients with peripapillary diverticulum, hypertension, hyperlipemia, cerebrovascular disease/dementia, respiratory disease/cardiac disease, and patients administered an anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent (P < 0.05). The success rate of the initial lithotomy was 88.7 (94/106)%. The final lithotomy rate was 100 (106/106)%. Complications due to treatment procedure occurred in 4.72 (5/106)% of the patients. There was no significant difference in procedure success rate, number of ERCP, or incidence of complications between group A and group B.
CONCLUSION: EPLBD can be safely performed in elderly patients, the same as in younger patients.
Core tip: Endoscopic treatment by papillary large balloon dilation for large stones can be safely performed in elderly patients, the same as in younger patients.