Clinical characteristics of obstructive jaundice among patients from a single institution

BACKGROUND: In jaundice, the skin and mucosa show a yellow discoloration due to increased plasma bilirubin levels exceeding 2 mg/dL. In obstructive jaundice, bilirubin can be produced normally, but the formed bilirubin cannot be drained into the intestines due to an obstruction, which requires surgery or other interventions. This condition is associated with a poor prognosis among patients with colorectal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of obstructive jaundice at our institution.METHODS: This descriptive study retrospectively analyzed the data of 953 patients with obstructive jaundice. Obstructive jaundice was diagnosed on the basis of physical examination, ultrasound, blood test, computed tomography, and intraoperative findings. The demographic characteristics, radiological findings, chief complaint, etiology, management (surgery type), treatment duration, and outcome were assessed from hospital medical records.RESULTS: A total of 953 patients were diagnosed with jaundice from 2018 to 2022, with the highest incidence occurring in 2019. Most patients were in the 5th to 6th decade of life. The chief complaint was jaundice, and the highest direct bilirubin level was 10-20 mg/dL. The highest alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase levels exceeded 270 and 50 U/L, respectively. The most common procedure performed was common bile duct exploration, and the most frequent cause of the disease was biliary tract stones. Sepsis occurred as the most common complication.CONCLUSIONS: From 2018 to 2022, a total of 953 patients were diagnosed with jaundice, with biliary tract stones and sepsis as the most common cause and complication, respectively