Is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography safe for centenarians?

doi:10.4253/wjge.v17.i6.106142

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Jun 16, 2025 (publication date) through Feb 28, 2026

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World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

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1948-5190

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Letter to the Editor

World J Gastrointest Endosc. Jun 16, 2025; 17(6): 106142
Published online Jun 16, 2025. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i6.106142

Is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography safe for centenarians?

Tiziana Buono, Durante Donnarumma, Filippo Antonini

Filippo Antonini, Durante Donnarumma, Tiziana Buono, Gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy Unit, Mazzoni Hospital AST Ascoli Piceno, Ascoli Piceno 63100, Italy

Author contributions: Antonini F wrote this manuscript; Buono T and Donnarumma D reviewed the manuscript; all of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Corresponding author: Filippo Antonini, MD, Chief Physician, Gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy Unit, Mazzoni Hospital AST Ascoli Piceno, Via Degli Iris 1, Ascoli Piceno 63100, Italy. filippo.antonini@sanita.marche.it

Received: February 18, 2025
Revised: April 27, 2025
Accepted: May 20, 2025
Published online: June 16, 2025
Processing time: 113 Days and 13.6 Hours

Abstract

This letter aims to discuss the article, published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2025. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is widely acknowledged as an effective procedure for managing biliary obstruction. However, its use in very elderly patients, particularly centenarians, presents unique challenges related to both safety and efficacy. In this report, we share our experience with three centenarian patients who underwent ERCP for biliary obstruction in our unit. Remarkably, all patients had favorable outcomes, and no significant adverse events were observed.

Keywords: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Choledocholithiasis; Centenarians; Nonagenarians; Safety; Complications

Core Tip: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a well-established and generally safe procedure for managing biliary obstruction. However, the use of ERCP in very elderly populations raises distinct concerns regarding both safety and efficacy. Here, we present the cases of three centenarian patients who underwent ERCP for biliary obstruction, all of whom experienced favorable outcomes with no significant adverse events.