Background and study aims Colonoscopy is physically demanding for endoscopists and patients. Repetitive movements during colonoscopy can lead to overuse injuries. We aimed to explore the prevalence and range of colonoscopy-related musculoskeletal injuries (CRIs) in endoscopists. Methods A cross-sectional electronic survey of 1825 endoscopists was performed. The sample was composed of members of the British Society of Gastroenterology, European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and National Nurse Endoscopy Group (UK). The survey comprised 20 questions. These included: endoscopists’ workload, level of experience, and their perceived CRIs. All endoscopists who perform colonoscopy independently were included in the analysis. Results A total of 368 questionnaires were completed of 1825 surveyed (20.16 %). Of those, 319 participants (17.48 %) were fully independent in colonoscopy. Of 319 endoscopists, 254 (79.6 %) have experienced musculoskeletal injuries. These were reported as either possibly (n = 143, 56.3 %) or definitely (n = 90, 35.4 %) related to colonoscopy. Commonly injured areas were the lower back (n = 85, 36.5 %), neck (n = 82, 35.2 %) and left thumb (n = 79, 33.9 %). Of the injured endoscopists, 98 (30.7 %) made some modification to their practice, such as stretching exercises and ergonomic changes. Of the endoscopists, 134 (42.0 %) thought that repetitive limb strain was a likely causative mechanism. Around 40 % believed that torquing the scope and challenging body position were precipitating CRIs. Several treatment modalities were used to treat CRIs. These included; physiotherapy (n = 109), medications (n = 70), rest (n = 43), splinting (n = 31), steroid injections (n = 26) and surgery (n = 11). Conclusions A significant proportion of colonoscopists experience CRIs. The majority of the suggested modifications to practice can be adopted by any endoscopist. These results highlight the need to recognise CRI as an important occupational health hazard and to adopt preventative strategies routinely in the future.

Background/Aim: There are few studies assessed the efficacy and mortality of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones in the elderly aged ≥90 years. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic removal of CBD stones in nonagenarians. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed ERCP reports for CBD stone removal. The endoscopic and therapeutic outcomes were collected. The length of stay (LOS), the total number of adverse events, and mortality rate were compared between groups. Results: A total of 125 nonagenarians were compared with 1,370 controls (65-89 years old individuals). The mean LOS for nonagenarians was significantly higher than in controls (13.6 days vs. 6.5 days). Completed intended treatment was similar in the nonagenarians and controls (89.8% and 89.5%, respectively). The overall complication rate did not differ between the groups. However, nonagenarians had a higher incidence of post-ERCP pneumonia (3.9%). None of the nonagenarians were readmitted to the hospital within 7 days. Four nonagenarians (3.2%) and 25 (1.8%) controls died within 30 days. Conclusions: Advanced age alone did not affect the decision to perform the procedure. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment of post-ERCP pneumonia in nonagenarians could improve the outcomes and reduce mortality.

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Background It is estimated that one in four persons in the UK will be > 65 years old by 2050. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the recommended therapy for removals of common bile duct (CBD) stones. There is a lack of UK data on the outcome of ERCP in the very elderly. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in the management of CBD stones in the elderly >90 years old compared with those aged 65-89 years old. Methods We retrospectively analysed patients undergone ERCP between 2016-2020. Those with conditions other than suspected CBD stones were excluded. The following data was collected: general demographics, comorbidities, American Association of Anaesthesiology (ASA) grading, presence of dementia, anticoagulation therapy, endoscopic report on completed intention of treatment which is defined by either removal of stone and/or stent insertion. Also, post-procedure complications were collected including post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), bleeding, perforation, cholangitis, respiratory, and cardiovascular (CVS) events. Readmission within 7 days and death within 30 days were collected. Outcomes were reported as mean ± (SD) or n (%). Statistical significance was considered when P < 0.05. Results Total, 126 patients ≥ 90 years(group A) compared to 262 patients aged 65-89 years(group B). Higher rate of dementia, and anticoagulation therapy in Group A (17.4%) vs (0.4%),p <0.0001 and (36.5%) vs (17.9%),p <0.0001,respectively. Completed treatment was achieved in group A(90.5%) compared to group B(89.9%),p 0.7. One patient (0.8%) had PEP group A compared to 8(3.1%) group B,p 0.3. Overall complications (13.5%) group A vs (9.5%) group B,p 0.3. Four cases (3.2%) died within 30-day in group A compared to group B 5 (1.9%), p 0.5. There was no procedure-related death Conclusions ERCP for removal of CBD stones in > 90 years old is effective. Risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis and overall adverse events were not higher in the > 90 years compared to 65-89 years old. We report a 30-day mortality rate of 3.2%. The most common cause of death was pneumonia including COVID-19 peumonia.