Jaundice following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Etiology and management / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate causes and the treatment of jaundice following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods A retrospective analysis of records of 11 cases of jaundice following LC out of 2047 cases between October 1995 and December 2001 was made. Results The incidence of postoperative jaundice was 0.54% (11 of 2047). Jaundice was due to bile leakage (45.4%, 5 of 11), residual choledocholithiasis (18.2%, 2 of 11), acute pancreatitis (18.2%, 2 of 11), biliary stricture (9.1%, 1 of 11) and acute liver infraction (9.1%, 1 of 11). Three kinds of procedures-endoscopic operation, open operation and conservative treatment-were executed respectively and had obtained satisfactory results. Conclusions Bile leakage and residual choledocholithiasis were the leading causes of jaundice following LC. Prompt etiologic therapy may effectively relieve the symptoms.