JAUNDICA is common problem but often ignored. It is very important to know the cause of jaundice for the particular patient. Hepatitis in the commenest cause of jaundice, accounting above 90% of all cases. In about 10% of cases, the jaundice is caused by the biliary obstruction due to stones, stricture or tumors. The rare causes of jaundice are hemolytic or congenital where the treatment differs. So whenever, there is jaundice, according to the cause, the treatment varies. In cases of hepatitis, the main treatment is medical with drugs and supportive measure. But in case of obstruction jaundice, the aim is to relive the obstruction, which can be done endoscopically or surgically. Now the main issue is how to differentiate obstructive jaundice from viral hepatitis. Liver function will help to some extent, but sometime, may not give clear idea whether the patient is having biliary obstruction or not. So all patient with jaundice should have scan abdomen along with other blood
Dr P Sathish,
Senior Consultant Surgical Gastroenteritis,
Lotus Sooriya Hospital,
Laparoscopic Surgical Center,
M- 9840053727.