Diagnosis, management and prognosis of obstructive jaundice in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

A 5-year review of 50 patients, 28 males, 22 females, with a mean age of 42 years, operated for obstructive jaundice at Ile-Ife, Nigeria was undertaken. Neoplasms of the pancreas, liver, and bile duct were the common causes. Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) with hypotonic duodenography was excellent in determining the underlying lesions. Pancreatic carcinoma accounted for 28% of cases, cholelithiasis 24%, hepatoma 22%, metastatic cancer 14%, bile duct carcinoma 10%, and traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst 2%. The patients with malignancies were older than those with biliary calculi. Biochemically, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia, particularly in malignant obstructions, were diagnostic. Benigh bile ductal obstructions were surgically managed without any mortality. Malignant obstructions were surgically managed without any mortality. Malignant obstructions with their advanced presentations were less successfully managed. Biopsy alone or palliative bypass procedure could only be offered and the survival rate was dismal.