RESUMO
Ninety-three patients with obstructive jaundice were assessed as regards the different patterns of presentation of calcular versus malignant obstruction, their diagnosis, management and the prognosis in each group. Patients with calcular obstruction presented earlier than the malignant groups with very good prognosis provided that the proper line of management is chosen for each case that not only does it free the CBD from stones but also insures free drainage of bile from the liver to the intestines. Patients with malignant obstruction were presented very late and most of the procedures were palliative leading to a high mortality and morbidity rates. Early detection of patients would be the hope for improving the prognosis of this category of patients