Rendezvous technique for cholecystocholedochal lithiasis in octogenarians: is it as effective as in younger patients, or should endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy be preferred?

BACKGROUND: The treatment of cholecystocholedochal lithiasis (CCL) requires cholecystectomy and common bile duct (CBD) clearance, which can be achieved surgically or with a combination of surgery and endoscopy. The latter includes a two-stage-approach-preoperative retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and sphincterotomy (ST) followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or vice versa-or a one-stage-approach-the rendezvous technique (RVT), where ERC, ST, and LC are performed during the same procedure. No data on the use of RVT in octogenarians have been reported in the literature so far. The study aims to show whether the RVT is as effective in elderly as in younger patients. Moreover, results of RVT are compared with those of a two-stage sequential treatment (TSST) in octogenarians, to identify the best approach to such a population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 131 consecutive patients undergoing RVT for biliary tract stone disease were retrospectively analyzed. Two analyses were performed: (1) results of RVT (operative time, conversion rate, CBD clearance, morbidity/mortality, hospital stay, costs, and need for further endoscopy) were compared between octogenarians and younger patients, and (2) results of RVT in the elderly were compared with those of 27 octogenarians undergoing TSST for CCL. RESULTS: Octogenarians undergoing RVT were in poorer general condition (P<.0001) and had a higher conversion rate (P<.0001) and a longer hospital stay (P<.007) than younger patients. No differences in the rates of CBD clearance, surgery-related morbidity, mortality, and costs were recorded. Although octogenarians undergoing RVT were in poorer general condition than those undergoing TSST, the results of the two approaches were similar. CONCLUSIONS: RVT in the elderly seems to be as cost-effective as in younger patients; nevertheless, it may lead to a higher conversion rate and longer hospital stay. In octogenarians, RVT is not inferior to TSST in the treatment of CCL even for patients in poor condition.