Safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery in elderly patients after therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Introduction The number of elderly patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases has increased significantly. The characteristics of biliary and pancreatic diseases in the elderly increase the risk of treatment. Aim To study the safety and efficacy of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in elderly patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases with the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Material and methods Patients receiving ERCP under ERAS were grouped into an elderly group (group A, n = 58, aged 75 years or above) and a young and middle-aged group (group B, n = 202, aged less than 60 years). The clinical parameters before, during and after the operation of the two groups were compared. Results Before the operation, the incidences of cholangiocarcinoma and complications, nutritional screening score ≥ 3, ASA degree III and Child-Pugh grade A in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (p < 0.05), while the incidences of nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, nutritional screening < 3 and ASA grade I in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (p < 0.05). Intraoperatively, the incidence of juxta-ampullary duodenal diverticulum (JAD) in internal or bottom papilla in the elder patients with difficult selective biliary cannulation (DSBC) was significantly higher than that in the young and middle-aged group (p < 0.05). In addition, the continuous ECG monitoring duration and the first exhaust time in group A were significantly longer than those in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusions Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography under ERAS in elderly patients is as safe and effective as in young patients.