Obstructive jaundice. Causes and surgical interventions.

Biliary obstruction can be caused by a number of conditions and can occur in persons of all ages. In every case, prompt diagnosis affords the best opportunity for surgical therapy. Accurate preoperative diagnosis can be difficult because benign and malignant causes may appear similar radiographically. Options in surgical management can be as simple as extraction of a solitary common duct stone or as extensive as pancreaticoduodenectomy or hepatectomy and liver transplantation. Because of the risk of infection with biliary surgery, prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be considered.