OBSTRUCTIVE-JAUNDICE - NONSURGICAL OPTIONS FOR SURGICAL JAUNDICE

Differentiation between obstructive and nonobstructive causes of jaundice is important for optimal management of the individual patient. The fact that biliary obstruction is most common among elderly patients, who tolerate surgical procedures poorly, has spurred development of nonoperative drainage techniques. The authors discuss evaluation of jaundiced patients and describe some of the palliative procedures that are becoming increasingly popular.