[Biliary infections : cholecystitis and cholangitis]
Vânia Tavares1, André Mennet2, Élisabeth Andereggen1
1Service des urgences, Département de médecine communautaire, de premier recours et des urgences, HUG, 1211 Genève 14.
Abstract:
Biliary infections are a common cause of emergency department visit, usually of benign evolution but that can sometimes progress rapidly to a life-threatening emergency.The mainstay of treatment of acute cholecystitis is urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, performed in 72 hours.Antibiotic treatment is often sufficient for the initial treatment of mild cholangitis. A percutaneous or endoscopic biliary drainage must be done urgently in case of severe presentations or if the patient doesn't respond to conservative treatment. The definitive treatment of the cause of cholangitis, will be performed in a second time.
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