Quality of Life in palliative management of malignant obstructive jaundice.

Studies comparing different methods of palliating patients with malignant obstructive jaundice have mainly concentrated on short-term success and complication rates. Seen from the patients perspective, Quality of Life issues may be of equal importance. Instruments are being developed and modified to permit sequential assessment of Quality of Life as an essential part of any studies attempting to evaluate the contribution of different palliative procedures.