Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Elderly Patients

SUMMARYEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is effective in the investigation and treatment of pan-creatic and biliary disease. As the prevalence of bile duct stones and malignant disease and the risk of surgery rise with age, studies on the therapeutic success of ERCP in the elderly become more popular. There have been publications documenting the safety of ERCP in elderly patients from the age of 65 to 85 years. Recent studies have also shown that ERCP is safe and effective in those aged 90 years and older. Outcomes of ERCP in terms of success and complication rates are similar to those in younger patients. Therefore, the decision to undergo ERCP should be determined by clinical need, and age alone should not be a contraindication to endoscopic intervention. Here, we review the indications, pre-procedure preparation, sedation and analgesia, monitoring/procedural care, complications, and outcomes of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in the elderly.