ABSTRACT
The results of diagnosis and surgical and endoscopic treatment in 285 patients with jaundice are analysed. The diagnostic-therapeutic tactics were divided into 3 periods. In the first period the diagnosis was based on the clinical findings and the results of laboratory biochemical tests. The postoperative death rate in this period was 15.3%. The second and third periods were characterized by early complex use of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, which made it possible to reduce significantly the number of preoperative diagnostic errors and postoperative death rate. In the second period it was 5.9%, while in the third period there were no fatal outcomes. It is concluded that early endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in cases with obstructive jaundice is advisable.
