[Early bile drainage in acute cholangitis].
OBJECTIVE
We have studied the impact of early biliary drainage (surgical or endoscopical) on morbidity-mortality of acute cholangitis.


METHODS
During a five-year period (1988-1992) 106 patients were diagnosed of acute cholangitis (clinically, echographically and microbiologically).


RESULTS
Surgical intervention was performed in 78% of the patients, endoscopic biliary drainage in 18% and in 4% medical treatment alone. In 65% of cases, biliary drainage was performed during the eight hours after diagnosis. Overall mortality rate was 3, 7% (4 patients).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that early biliary drainage of acute cholangitis is the most important factor in order to achieve a low mortality rate.
Farreras Catasús
N
N
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona.
Comes Vaello
J B
JB
Craywinckel Martí
G
G
Vallverdú Cartié
H
H
Puig La Calle
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001646:Bile; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
Drenaje biliar precoz en la colangitis aguda.