The Surgical Aspects of Jaundice

Abstract

Although the need for operative correction of the lesion in extrahepatic jaundice is urgent, it must be remembered that the most common cause of jaundice is medical, namely, virus hepatitis. Liver function tests are extremely valuable in differential diagnosis of these two conditions, but three or four tests must be performed to obtain a correct impression. Removal of stones in the common duct is curative and a very gratifying operation. Removal of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is followed by a five year survival of about 25 per cent, but following pancreatoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas the five year survival is less than 5 per cent.