Urgent ERCP for acute cholangitis reduces mortality and hospital stay in elderly and very elderly patients

BACKGROUND: Acute cholangitis in old people is a cause of mortality and prolonged hospital stay. We evaluated the effects of methods and timing of biliary drainage on the outcomes of acute cholangitis in elderly and very elderly patients.METHODS: We analyzed 331 patients who were older than 75 years and were diagnosed with acute calculous cholangitis. They were admitted to our hospital from 2009 to 2014. Patients' demographics, severity grading, methods and timing of biliary drainage, mortality, and hospital stay were retrospectively obtained from medical records. Clinical parameters and outcomes were compared between elderly(75-80 years, n=156) and very elderly(≥81 years, n=175) patients. We analyzed the effects of methods [none, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, or failure] and timing(urgent or early) of biliary drainage on mortality and hospital stay in these patients.RESULTS: Acute cholangitis in older patients manifested as atypical symptoms characterized as infrequent Charcot's triad(4.2%) and comorbidity in one-third of the patients. Patients were graded as mild, moderate, and severe cholangitis in 104(31.4%), 175(52.9%), and 52(15.7%), respectively. Urgent biliary drainage(≤24 hours) was performed for 80.5%(247/307) of patients. Very elderly patients tended to have more severe grades and were treated with sequential procedures of transient biliary drainage and stone removal at different sessions. Hospital stay was related to methods and timing of biliary drainage. Mortality was very low(1.5%) and not related to patient age but rather to the success or failure of biliary drainage and severity grading of the acute cholangitis.CONCLUSIONS: The methods and timing used for biliary drainage and severity of cholangitis are the major determinants of mortality and hospital stay in elderly and very elderly patients with acute cholangitis. Urgent successful ERCP is mandatory for favorable prognosis in these patients.     

Efficacy and safety of therapeutic ERCP in patients 90 years of age and older

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic ERCP has an established role in the treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases, but little information is available on the outcomes of this procedure in patients 90 years of age and older. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of therapeutic ERCP in an extremely elderly cohort. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Two Greek cohorts of patients > or =90 and 70 to 89 years of age who underwent therapeutic ERCPs. PATIENTS: Sixty-three patients aged 90 years and older (group A) and 350 patients 70 to 89 years of age (group B). INTERVENTIONS: A retrospective review of therapeutic ERCPs was performed between 1994 and 2000 on both groups, identified by using a database linked to the endoscopy reporting system in our department. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Efficacy and safety of therapeutic ERCPs. Concomitant diseases, complications, and outcome were also evaluated. RESULTS: Group A patients had a higher incidence of concomitant diseases than group B patients (100% vs 72.8%, respectively). The rate of post-ERCP early complications was low in both groups: 6.3% in group A and 8.4% in group B. The frequency of ERCP-related mortality was 1.6% (1 patient) in group A and 0.6% (2 patients) in group B. Group A required endoscopic sessions for stone clearance and mechanical lithotripsy more frequently than group B (20.6% vs 11.4% and 17.5% vs 10.3%, respectively). No patient in either group experienced subjective deterioration in mental status, and the 3 patients who died required ventilatory support before death. Late complications occurred in 2.3% of patients in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic ERCP is safe and effective for the treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases in extremely elderly patients, and advanced age per se should not impinge on decisions relating to its use.     

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the elderly: a prospective and comparative study

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to compare the utility and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in elderly and younger groups of people. METHODS: The study involved 299 patients who underwent ERCP for the first time between March 2002 and January 2003. Group A consisted of 202 patients who were 69 years of age or younger and group B involved 97 patients who were 70 years of age or older. The patients were prospectively identified and data were gathered on them prospectively. Clinical and biochemical features, ERCP procedures, ERCP diagnosis, complications and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Group B patients presented with more specific symptoms compared with group A. Laboratory findings were similar in both groups other than mean bilirubin levels, which were higher in the elderly group. Selective biliary cannulation was technically successful in 99% of both groups. Pre-cut papillotomy was performed in 49.5% of group A patients and 56.7% of group B patients. Choledocholithiasis was the most frequent diagnosis in both groups. Benign biliary stenosis was more frequent in group A and malignant biliary stenosis in group B. Among the malignant aetiologies, pancreatic carcinoma was the most common cancer in both groups. Post-procedural complications developed in 27 (9%) patients. There were 16 (7.9%) complications (six bleeding, five pancreatitis, three perforation and two cholangitis) in the 202 patients aged under 70 years. In comparison, 11 (11.3%) of the 97 patients aged over 70 years developed a complication (bleeding in six, pancreatitis in one, perforation in one, cholangitis in two and ileus in one). Twelve (nine group A and three group B) patients died within 5-30 days of the procedure. Length of hospital stay was comparable for both groups (15.53+/-12.43 days in group A and 14.84+/-11.56 days in group B). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP has similar outcomes in both elderly and younger patients. ERCP is effective and safe in elderly patients with naive papilla. The more invasive procedures like pre-cut papillotomy may be performed safely in the elderly.     

内镜下金属支架引流术治疗肝门部胆管癌和肝外恶性胆道梗阻临床观察

临床上恶性胆道梗阻性疾病预后较差。对于不能手术切除者,通常选择内镜下置人胆道支架以解除梗阻,然而该技术对进展期肝门部肿瘤的疗效报道不一。目的：探讨内镜下金属支架引流术对肝门部胆管癌和肝外恶性胆道梗阻的疗效和并发症发生情况。方法：纳入上海交通大学附属第一人民医院2006年6月～2009年6月收治的82例接受ERCP下置入自膨式金属胆道支架引流治疗的恶性胆道狭窄患者,根据病变部位分为肝门部胆管癌组和肝外恶性胆道梗阻组,对其ERCP参数和术后6个月随访记录进行回顾性分析,并分析随访期间急性胆管炎发生的危险因素。结果：两组支架置入成功率均为100％。与肝外恶性胆道梗阻组相比,肝门部胆管癌组术后1周总胆红素降低显效率较低,术后6个月内急性胆管炎发生率增高,初次发生时间提前,支架再狭窄率增高（P=0．000）。ERCP术中括约肌切开为随访期间发生急性胆管炎的危险因素（P=0．004,OR：8．196）。结论：内镜下金属支架引流术对肝门部胆管癌的疗效不及肝外恶性胆道梗阻,且更易早期发生急性胆管炎和支架再狭窄,术中括约肌切开可增加术后急性胆管炎的发生风险。     

治疗性ERCP在老年胆胰疾病患者中的临床价值

临床上高龄胆胰疾病患者日益增多,而传统手术治疗的风险较大。目的:探讨治疗性ERCP在老年胆胰疾病患者治疗中的临床应用价值。方法:对2006年1月～2009年10月兰州军区兰州总医院诊断为胰胆疾病的343例患者行治疗性ERCP,并按年龄将其分为老年组和非老年组,分析原发疾病、ERCP操作、治疗成功率以及并发症发生率。结果:老年组胆管癌的发生率高于非老年组。除胆管塑料支架置入术(ERBD)外,两组内镜十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术(EST)、胆总管取石术、胆道金属支架置入术(EMBE)、胰管支架置入术(ERPD)、鼻胆管引流术(ENBD)操作频率无明显差异。两组ERCP治疗成功率(82.5%对87.0%)和并发症发生率(3.3%对4.6%)无明显差异。所有并发症经内科保守治疗和内镜下治疗后痊愈。结论:治疗性ERCP是一项安全、有效的治疗技术,尤其适用于老年胆胰疾病患者,其并发症多数可经内科保守治疗联合内镜下治疗治愈。     

Endoscopic management of acute cholangitis in elderly patients

INTRODUCTIONAcute cholangitis is a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem.Classically,Charcot’s triad of jaundice,abdominal pain and fever have been the main basis of diagnosis however30%-45%of the patients with acute cholangitis do not satisfy the criteria of Charcot’s triad[1].Altered sensorium,hypotension and renal failure can often be seen in patients with suppurative cholangitis[2].In many cases,bile duct infection is latent and does not cause symptoms.Cholangitis varies in …     

Endoscopic management of acute cholangitis in elderly patients

AIM: To evaluate clinical presentation, etiology, complications and response to treatment in elderly patients with acute cholangitis.METHODS: Demographics, etiology of biliary obstruction, clinical features, complications and associated systemic diseases of 175 patients with acute cholangitis were recorded. Endoscopic biliary drainage was performed using nasobiliary drain or stent. The complications related to ERCP, success of biliary drainage, morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay were evaluated.RESULTS: Of 175 patients, 52 aged≥60 years (groupⅠ,age＜60 years; groupⅡ,age≥60 years) and 105 were men. Fever was present in 38 of 52 patients of group Ⅱ compared to 120 of 123 in group Ⅰ. High fever (fever≥38.0℃) was more common in group Ⅰ (118/120 vs 18/38). Hypotension (5/123 vs 13/52),altered sensorium (3/123 vs 19/52), peritonism (22/123 vs 14/52), renal failure (5/123 vs 14/52) and associated comorbid diseases (4/123 vs 21/52) were more common in group Ⅱ. Biliopancreatic malignancy was a common cause of biliary obstruction in group Ⅱ (n = 34) and benign diseases in group Ⅰ (n = 120). Indications for biliary drainage were any one of the following either singly or in combination: a fever of≥38.0℃ (n=136),hypotension (n=18), peritonism (n=36), altered sensorium (n=22), and failure to improve within 72h of conservative management (n=22). High grade fever was more common indication of biliary drainage in group Ⅰ and hypotension, altered sensorium, peritonism and failure to improve within 72 h of conservative management were more common indications in group Ⅱ. Endoscopic biliary drainage was achieved in 172 patients (nasobiliary drain: 56 group Ⅰ, 24 group Ⅱ,stent: 64 group Ⅰ, 28 group Ⅱ) without any significant age related difference in the success rate. Abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, hypotension, altered sensorium,peritonism and renal failure improved after median time of 5 d in 120 patients in group Ⅰ (2-15 d) compared to 10 d in 47 patients of group Ⅱ (3-20 d). Normalization of leucocyte count was seen after a median time of 7 d (3-20 d) in 120 patients in group Ⅰ compared to 15 d (5-26 d)in 47 patients in group Ⅱ. There were no ERCP related complications in either group. Five patients (carcinoma gallbladder n = 3, CBD stones n = 2) died in group Ⅱand they had undergone biliary drainage after failure of response to conservative management for 72 h. There was a higher mortality in patients in group Ⅱ despite successful biliary drainage (0/120 vs 5 /52). Length of hospital stay was longer in group Ⅱ patients (16.4±5.6,7-30 d) than in group Ⅰ patients (8.2±2.4, 7-20 d).CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with acute cholangitis have a high incidence of severe cholangitis, concomitant medical illnesses, hypotension, altered sensorium,peritonism, renal failure and higher mortality even after successful biliary drainage.     

Early vs late endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with acute cholangitis: A nationwide analysis

AIM To assess the effect of early vs late endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) on mortality and readmissions in acute cholangitis, using a nationally representative sample.METHODS We used the 2014 National Readmissions Database to identify adult patients hospitalized with acute cholangitis who underwent therapeutic ERCP within one week of admission. Early ERCP was defined as ERCP performed on the same day of admission or the next day(days 0 or 1, 48 h), and late ERCP was performed on days 2 to 7 of admission. Patients with severe cholangitis had any of the following additional diagnoses: Severe sepsis, septic shock, acute renal failure,acute respiratory failure, or thrombocytopenia. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds of association of ERCP timing with inhospital mortality, 30-d mortality, and 30-d readmissions, controlling for age, sex,severe disease and comorbidities.RESULTS Four thousand five hundred and seventy patients satisfied the inclusion criteria;with a mean age of 64.1 years. Of these, 66.6% had early ERCP, while 33.4% had late ERCP. Early ERCP was associated with lower in-hospital mortality [1.2% vs2.4%, adjusted odds ratio(aOR) = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.76-0.83, P = 0.001] and lower 30-d mortality(1.5% vs 3.3%, aOR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.33-0.69, P 0.0001) compared to the late ERCP group. Similarly, early ERCP was associated with lower 30-d readmissions(9.7% vs 15.1%, aOR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.49-0.7, P 0.0001). When stratified by severity of cholangitis, there was a similar benefit of early ERCP on all outcomes in those with and without severe cholangitis. The mean length of stay was higher in the late ERCP group compared to the early ERCP group(6.9 d vs 4.5 d, P 0.0001). The mean hospitalization cost was higher in the late ERCP group($21459 vs $16939, P 0.0001).CONCLUSION Early ERCP is associated with lower in-hospital and 30-d mortality in those with or without severe cholangitis. Regardless of severity, we suggest performing early ERCP.     

Clinical Presentation and Delayed Treatment of Cholangitis in Older People

Acute cholangitis is more common in older people, and increasing age is a determinant of morbidity and mortality, as is early biliary decompression by ERCP. This study aims to identify factors that may contribute to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of older people with acute cholangitis. Case notes of 122 patients (45 aged < 75 years, 77 > 75 years) with a final diagnosis of acute cholangitis who underwent ERCP were reviewed for presenting clinical features (pain, jaundice, rigors, fever, falls, incontinence, confusion), liver function tests, blood count, and the interval from admission to diagnosis, ultrasonography, and ERCP. The most common symptom at presentation was abdominal pain (81%), followed by jaundice (55%). These symptoms were no less common in older patients. Charcot's triad was present in only 15.6% of young and 18.8% of older patients. Jaundice was not detected in 16% of significantly hyperbilirubinemic older patients, but only the presence of functional symptoms was associated with significant diagnostic delay (median, 1 day [range: 0–11] vs. 9.5 days [3–25]; P< 0.001) and delay in performing ERCP (median: 4 days [0–24] vs. 16.5 days [2–29], P< 0.001). Overall mortality was 10%, and the incidence of septic shock was similar in both groups. Charcot's classical triad is infrequent in patients suffering from acute cholangitis. Given the greater difficulty assessing jaundice in older people and the confounding effect of falls, incontinence, and confusion, a routine policy of liver function tests, with further investigation of abnormal results in such presentations, may reduce delays in diagnosing and treating acute cholangitis.     

Is Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Safe in Patients 90 Years of Age and Older?

Background/Aims

This case-control study evaluated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients 90 years of age and older.

Methods

From January 2005 to August 2011, 5,070 cases of ERCP were performed at our institution. Of these, 43 cases involved patients 90 years of age and older (mean age, 91.7±1.9 years). A control group of 129 cases (mean age, 65.7±14.8 years) was matched by the patient sex, sphincterotomy, and presence of choledocholithiasis using a propensity score. The patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed for comorbidity, periampullary diverticulum, urgent procedure, conscious sedation, technical success, procedure duration, ERCP-related complication, and death.

Results

Between the case and control groups, there was no significant difference with regard to comorbidity, periampullary diverticulum, and urgent procedure. Conscious sedation was performed significantly less in the patient group versus the control group (28 [65%] vs 119 [92%], respectively; p=0.000). There was no significant difference in the technical success, procedure duration, or ERCP-related complications. In both groups, there was no major bleeding or perforation related to ERCP. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred significantly less in the patient group compared to the control group (0 vs 13 [10%], respectively; p=0.004). One death occurred from respiratory arrest in the case group.

Conclusions

ERCP can be performed safely and successfully in patients aged 90 years and older without any significant increase in complications.     

Choledocholithiasis in elderly patients with gallbladder in situ - is ERCP sufficient?

Abstract

Introduction: Along with increased life expectancy, the proportion of elderly patients with choledocholithiasis will increase and with this, the need for endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Current recommendations suggest laparoscopic cholecystectomy in all patients with choledocholithiasis to prevent biliary events. However, adherence to these recommendations is low, especially in older patients.

Methods: Retrospective study that included non-cholecystectomized patients aged >?=75 years who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis from 2013–2016 (n?=?131). A new biliary event was defined as the need for a new ERCP, cholecystitis, cholangitis or gallstone pancreatitis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of new biliary events and mortality in cholecystectomized vs non-cholecystectomized patients after ERCP.

Results: Cholecystectomy was performed in 22% of the patients (92% laparoscopic). The post-cholecystectomy complication rate was 13% and the mortality rate was 7%. During the follow-up period (669?±?487 days) a new biliary event occurred in 20% of patients - 10% new ERCP, 9% cholecystitis, 9% cholangitis and 2% pancreatitis. Cholecystectomized patients had fewer events (7% vs 24%, p?=?.048) and longer time to event (p?=?.016). There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality (14% vs 27%, p?=?.13), mortality related to lithiasis (0% vs 9%, p?=?.11) or time to mortality from all causes (p?=?.07) and related to biliary events (p?=?.07).

Conclusions: In this group of elderly patients, cholecystectomy after ERCP prevented the occurrence of new biliary events but resulted in a non-statistically significant difference in mortality.     

治疗性ERCP并发症分析及其防治体会

目的 降低胆胰疾病患者尤其是老年患者治疗性ERCP并发症的发生率,提高其安全性.方法 回顾性分析近2年930例(其中≥60岁患者510例)胆胰疾病患者行治疗性ERCP的临床资料,统计并发症发生率.结果 930例患者中,ERCP成功896例,成功率96.34%.发生ERCP并发症73例,发生率7.85%;其中胰腺炎42例(合并胆道感染1例),十二指肠穿孔4例,乳头切开后迟发性出血6例,贲门黏膜撕裂出血2例,胆道感染19例(合并感染性休克5例).2例死亡,余均经治疗后痊愈出院.结论 ERCP对胆胰疾病的治疗是较安全有效的,但老年患者脏器功能减退,且合并疾病较多,出现并发症后治疗困难,处理不当可造成严重后果;故要严格掌握ERCP适应证,提高内镜技术,术前、术后积极治疗合并疾病,积极预防并及时诊治并发症.     

急性梗阻化脓性胆管炎的早期内镜介入与外科手术治疗的比较

目的:探讨急诊内镜微创介入与外科手术对急性梗阻化脓性胆管炎(acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis,AOSC)的治疗效果.方法:回顾性分析中国人民解放军总医院消化内科、肝胆外科2008-01/2011-06收治的72例AOSC患者的临床资料,分为内镜组54例:急诊内镜下逆行胰胆管造影术(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogahpy,ERCP)微创介入治疗;手术组18例:手术开腹胆总管切开、留置T管引流.结果:72例患者平均年龄68.3岁±14.2岁,病因为胆道结石占88.9%、恶性肿瘤占11.1%.内镜组与手术组比较在平均年龄、性别构成、病因构成方面的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);在治愈率方面比较内镜组(94.4%)高于手术组(72.2%)(P<0.05);并发症(3.7%vs27.8%)及死亡率(0vs16.7%)内镜组均显著低于手术组(P<0.05),而术后住院时间(9.1d±8.0dvs16.2d±9.9d)和住院费用(3.64万元±1.52万元vs9.33万元±6.86万元),内镜组也均显著低于手术组(P<0.05).内镜组并发症:胰腺炎1例、乳头切开出血1例;手术组并发症:多脏器功能衰竭3例(均死亡)、胆漏1例、肝脓肿1例.结论:AOSC患者的外科手术并发症多、死亡率高,早期内镜微创介入治疗可显著减少并发症并降低死亡率,应成为治疗AOSC的首选方法.     

Role of prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis due to transient common bile duct obstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The role of prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with transient common bile duct obstruction is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the value of performing prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients suffering from acute biliary pancreatitis and absent common bile duct stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODS: Hospital notes of patients admitted to our unit with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis from January 2000 to January 2005 were reviewed. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed when patients were deemed unfit for cholecystectomy, suffering from a severe attack of acute pancreatitis and/or showing evidence of transient common bile duct obstruction. The outcomes of patients with and without endoscopic sphincterotomy were compared. RESULTS: A total of 427 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis during the study period. Eighty-eight patients with absent common bile duct stones on ERCP were identified. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 71 patients and not performed in 17 patients. There was no significant difference in recurrent pancreatitis rates (1.4% vs 5.8%, P = 0.35), recurrent biliary complication rates (5.6% vs 5.9%, P = 1) or mortality rates (5.8% vs 1.5%, P = 0.35). The time to recurrent complications (38.4 days vs 41.0 days, P = 0.38) was not significantly different between the two groups. There was no ERCP-related morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic endoscopic sphincterotomy is not recommended in patients with transient common bile duct obstruction or as an option to cholecystectomy in elderly patients. Early cholecystectomy should be performed.     

ERCP is safe and effective in patients 80 years of age and older compared with younger patients

BACKGROUND: Biliary disease frequently occurs in the elderly, but there are limited data on ERCP in the elderly population. PATIENTS: A total of 502 patients (group A, 97; group B, 405) underwent 724 ERCP procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: All consecutive ERCPs performed between 2000 and 2002 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed for patients >/=80 years old (group A) and patients <80 years old (group B) to evaluate endoscopic findings, interventions, complications, and mortality related to complications. RESULTS: The number of important chronic concomitant diseases was significantly higher in the older group (average per patient 1.08 vs 0.57, P < .001). Successful cannulation was achieved in 88% in group A versus 86% in group B, and endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 63.2% versus 51.4%. Periampullary diverticulum was found significantly more often in patients of group A (39.2%) than of group B (14.1%, P < .001). Stents were used in 24.1% of ERCP procedures in group A and in 22.9% in group B. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between group A (6.8%) and group B (5.1%) and in early mortality (1.03% vs 0.25%), respectively. CONCLUSION: ERCP is a safe and effective intervention in the elderly because complication and early mortality rates are comparable to those of younger patients, although comorbidity is significantly higher.     

Biliary decompression by nasobiliary catheter or biliary stent in acute suppurative cholangitis: a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic drainage has replaced emergent surgery for biliary decompression in patients with acute cholangitis. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the efficacy of the nasobiliary catheter and indwelling stent as temporary measures for biliary decompression in acute suppurative cholangitis caused by bile duct stones. METHODS: Over a 60-month period, 79 patients with acute cholangitis who required emergent endoscopic drainage were recruited. Indications for urgent drainage included any one of the following: temperature greater than 39 degrees C, septic shock with systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, increasing abdominal pain, and impaired level of consciousness. Patients who had previously undergone sphincterotomy or had coexisting intrahepatic duct stones were excluded. After successful bile duct cannulation, patients were randomized to receive either a nasobiliary catheter or indwelling stent without sphincterotomy for biliary decompression. Outcome measures included procedure time, complications, clinical response, and patient discomfort (scored with a 10-cm, unscaled visual analog score). RESULTS: Of the 79 patients, 5 were excluded because of previous sphincterotomy and intrahepatic duct stones, 40 were randomized to receive a nasobiliary catheter (NBC group), and 34 to receive indwelling stent (stent group). Demographic data were similar between the groups. All procedures were successful in the NBC group; there was one failure in the stent group. The mean (SD) procedure time was similar (NBC group 14.0 [9.3] minutes vs. stent group 11.4 [7.2] min). There were 2 ERCP-related complications in the NBC group. Four patients pulled out the nasobiliary catheter and one catheter became kinked. One stent occluded. There was a significantly lower mean (SD) patient discomfort score on day 1 after the procedure in the stent group (stent group 1.8 [2.6] vs. NBC group 3.9 [2.7]; p = 0.02 t test). The overall mortality rate was 6.8% (2.5% NBC group vs. 12% stent group). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic biliary decompression by nasobiliary catheter or indwelling stent was equally effective for patients with acute suppurative cholangitis caused by bile duct stones. The indwelling stent was associated with less postprocedure discomfort and avoided the potential problem of inadvertent removal of the nasobiliary catheter.     

Predictors for emergency biliary decompression in acute cholangitis

OBJECTIVE: Medical treatment is the first-line management in patients with acute cholangitis but those who fail to respond to antibiotic treatment need urgent biliary decompression. Early prediction of patients with acute cholangitis who require urgent biliary drainage is important because this group of patients has a higher morbidity and mortality from this pathology. This study was undertaken to identify early predictors for emergency biliary decompression in patients with acute cholangitis. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of 171 consecutive patients with acute cholangitis managed in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Emergency biliary drainage was performed when conservative treatment failed. Twenty-four variables that could be assessed upon admission were analyzed for the prediction of the need for emergency biliary decompression. RESULTS: Thirty-one (18.1%) patients needed emergency biliary drainage. Older age (P=0.001), habit of chronic smoking (P=0.04), prolonged prothrombin time (P=0.025), higher blood glucose level (P=0.002), and dilated common bile duct diameter on ultrasonography (P=0.047) predicted the need for urgent biliary drainage. Patients aged older than 75 years had a significantly higher chance of failure of conservative treatment than those aged 75 years or less (26.5% versus 10.2%, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Biliary drainage should be considered early in cholangitic patients aged older than 75 years and/or chronic smoking because they are less likely to respond to conservative treatment. Further studies are required to confirm that the outcome of patients with acute cholangitis can be improved by this selective approach.     

Endoscopic retrograde cholagiopancreatography in the elderly: A prospective and comparative study in Northern Mexico

"Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a widely used technique for the diagnosis and treatment of bilio-pancreatic diseases. According to Mexican Statistics, there is increasing life expectancy in Mexican population. The incidence of biliary tract pathologies is also increasing, leading to an increased demand of ERCP. Aim: Compare the utility and safety of ERCP in elderly and younger patients. Methods: Prospective and comparative study including 450 patients who underwent ERCP during 2007. Patients were divided into two groups: 65 years age and older (group A) and less than 65 years old (group B). We registered gender, age, indication and length of the endoscopic procedure, morbidity and mortality. Results: Mean patient age was 74.5 ± 6.9 and 43.0 ± 13.5 years old in groups A and B respectively. Choledocholithiasis was the more frequent diagnosis in both groups (48.62 %), followed by benign biliary stenosis (22.02 %) and malignant biliary obstruction (16.28 %). In 428 patients (98.16%) therapeutic procedures were performed. Endoscopic complications occurred in 1.37 % and there were not significant differences between groups (p = 0.218). There was no mortality. Conclusion: ERCP is a safe procedure in elderly patients with a very low rate of complications and excellent therapeutic efficacy"     

Late biliary complications after endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones in patients older than 65 years of age with gallbladder in situ

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the nature and the frequency of biliary complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for common bile duct stones in elderly patients with gallbladder in situ. METHODS: Between 1991 and 1993, 169 consecutive patients with gallbladder in situ, older than 65 years (79 +/- 8) had an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis. Information on the early (<1 month) and late biliary complications, treatment and mortality were obtained by mail or phone calls from patients and general practitioners. Long-term data were obtained for 139 patients (82%). Mean follow-up was 56.5 months (80 months for patients still alive at the end of the study). RESULTS: Early complications occurred in 13 patients (10.8%). Seven patients had acute cholecystitis, present before the procedure in all cases; all were treated by surgery. Other early complications included cholangitis (n =7), mild acute pancreatitis (n =3), bleeding (n =1), perforation (n =1), biliary colic (n =1), pneumopathy (n =1) and bradycardia (n =1), all treated medically. Forty patients underwent early cholecystectomy, and 5 died during the first month without biliary disease. Late complications were thus assessed in 94 patients and occurred in 13 (14%), i.e around 2% per year. Complications were acute cholangitis (n=4), biliary pain (n =4), cholecystitis (n =2), abdominal pain (n =2) and jaundice due to sphincterotomy stenosis (n =1). Five patients had cholecystectomy, 1 a radiological drainage and 7 were treated medically. No death due to a biliary complication was observed. The presence of gallstones, the absence of gallbladder opacification at cholangiography were not prognostic factors for the recurrence of biliary symptoms. 65 patients (50%) died without biliary disease during the follow-up (actuarial death rate 10.5% per year). CONCLUSION: Late biliary complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for choledocholithiasis in patients with gallbladder in situ are rare (2% per year). Prophylactic cholecystectomy after sphincterotomy does not seem warranted in elderly patients, because of rare recurrent biliary symptoms, low mortality rate, and limited life expectancy.     

10955例经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术患者临床总结分析

目的探讨经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术（ERCP）对胆胰疾病的诊疗价值。方法回顾性分析1995年1月至2013年7月间完成ERCP诊治的患者10955例,其中男6186例,女4769例,平均年龄（65．57±14．44）岁。总结并分析ERCP诊治病种、发病年龄、年度数量、麻醉方式及插管成功率等指标。结果10955例患者中,诊断性ERCP167例,治疗性ERCP10788例。2002年至2012年ERCP手术例数年平均增长率是19．58％。首次ERCP胆管插管成功率是97．23％,总ERCP胆管插管成功率是99．59％。常见的ERCP诊治疾病包括肝外胆管结石（40．85％）、肝门部胆管癌（10．53％）、化脓性胆管炎（10．44％）、胰头癌（10．04％）、慢性胰腺炎（8．24％）、肝外胆管癌（7．68％）、壶腹周围癌（6．96％）、胆源性胰腺炎（3．94％）、良性乳头狭窄（3．88％）、乳头癌（3．50％）。肝外胆管结石、化脓性胆管炎、良性乳头狭窄高发年龄是40～50岁,慢性胰腺炎高发年龄是50—60岁,胆源性胰腺炎、肝门部胆管癌、肝外胆管癌、胰头癌、壶腹周围癌、乳头癌的高发年龄是70—80岁。2011年至2013年中,98．74％患者行全凭静脉麻醉ERCP。结论ERCP已经成为胆胰疾病诊治的重要手段,适合于肝外胆管结石、化脓性胆管炎、恶性胆管梗阻等疾病,尤其是高龄患者的诊治。全凭静脉麻醉ERCP是安全、有效的。