On the basis of examination and treatment of 364 elderly and senile patients with obstructive jaundice and cholangitis, the authors conclude that the frequency of these complications is high and that cholangitis takes an atypical course in patients over 60 years of age. They determine the significance of the respiratory insufficiency syndrome in manifestation of the severity of the disease. In view of the high risk of surgery at the peak of jaundice and cholangitis, the authors suggest the wide use of endoscopic papillosphincterotomy according to indications for correcting biliary hypertension. It proved to be one of the most effective methods in the treatment of jaundice and cholangitis, contributed to reduction of the number of surgical operations on cavities and to a 4.4-fold decrease of postoperative death rates among this contingent of patients.