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Obstructive Jaundice, Study of 33 Cases in Department of Visceral Surgery, Donka National Hospital

Icterus or jaundice is a yellow staining of the skin and mucous membranes which occurs secondary to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Obstructive jaundice corresponds to a mechanical obstacle in the biliary pathways. The definitive diagnosis of obstructive jaundice in preoperative patients remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to present a number of epidemiological aspects to highlight the problems faced with diagnosis and treatment in order to ameliorate the management and prognosis of patients with obstructive jaundice. It was a retrospective study conducted on 17 male patients and 16 female patients with an average age of 51-54 years, who were surgically treated for obstructive jaundice. The main clinical presentation was characterized by icterus, pruritus and abdominal pain. Pancreatic head tumors are most commonly responsible for the presentation of obstructive jaundice (63.64%), followed by jaundice secondary to choledocholithiasis (9.06%), and stones in vesicular system (6.06%). The surgical intervention of choice was a palliative choledochoduodenostomy to divert flow of biliary juices.


Introduction
Obstructive jaundice is the consequence of bile stasis resulting from obstruction of bile flow by stones, tumors or inflammation [1]. The most common etiologies of obstructive jaundice are Cholelithiasis and pancreatic cancer, identified in 40% of total cases. Jaundice is visible on examination, and recognized by the yellow coloration of the skin, cornea and mucous membranes when serum bilirubin levels rise above than 2.5 to 3 mg per dL (42.8 to 51.3 µmol per L. Icterus is the most common manifestation of a mechanical obstruction in the biliary tract. Other accompanying signs include white stools, dark colored urine, abdominal pain and skin pruritus. It is a serious medical complication as bile reflux can be toxic, cause coagulation defects, renal insufficiency and decrease sensitivity of the humoral or cellular response of the immune system. [2] This most often presents acutely with obstruction secondary to tumor growths). Biochemical liver function tests show elevations in the direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) values and aspartate transferase (AST) and to a lesser degree, alanine transferase (ALT) values. Common noninvasive imaging studies include trans abdominal ultrasound scan (US), computed tomographic (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are important for both diagnostic and therapeutic Visceral Surgery, Donka National Hospital reasons. [1] Despite the difference in recognition of the nature of obstructive jaundice in different medical centers, finding the causative factor responsible the obstruction is an obligatory preoperative process, as wrongly chosen surgical procedures may have deleterious outcomes [4] The etiological diagnosis remainsto be an enduringproblem in the departmental context, as reflected by the lack of morphological and biological tests for conducting clinical investigations. [4] This situation is coupled with the scarcity of most advanced and recent treatment resources which are otherwise already in use in developed countries. This particular context has been the most compelling reason for us to write this article with the goal was of reporting our experience while comparing with similar medical literature, in the surgical service in the department of visceral surgery at the National hospital of Conakry in Guinea.

Patient and Demographic Data
Data were collected retrospectively from 1 st January 2008 to 31December 2012. The study included 23 patients total comprising of 17 male and 16 female subjects with a sex ratio of 1.06:1. The data collected from the patients included age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms, length of hospital stay, echography results; computer tomographic imaging, preoperative diagnosis, treatment modalities and their results. Those with no echography results, and with inoperable disease were excluded from the study.

Diagnosis Standard
On admission, all patients underwent complete standard blood test examinations, including serum bilirubin levels. Patients were considered eligible for the study when they presented obstructive jaundice confirmed by instrumental tests and increased bilirubin serum levels (total bilirubin >2.0 mg/dL). Biochemical tests such as Serum levels of CA19-9 and CEA were also measured on admission. Computer tomography imaging and endoscopic ultrasound were performed for all patients to further investigate the etiology of the obstructive jaundice [5]

Etiology
The main etiologic findings in our study related to the obstructive jaundice were periampullary (including pancreatic) malignancy, cholangiocarcinoma, cholelithiasis and others.

Indication for Surgery
In our study the main indication for surgery was to relieve the itching, the pruritus and to improve the quality of life of patient.

Contraindication for Surgery
The main contraindication for the surgery was that of tumor infiltration into the portal vein, the hepatic vein and the celiac trunk.

Results
Out of a total of 4127 operations, 33 were performed for treating obstructive jaundice (0.8%). The subjects studied included 17 male and 16 female patients at a sex ratio of 1.06, with age ranging from 5 to 56 years.
The major clinical signs were icterus in all patients, change in general physical appearance was noticeable with anorexia in 30 cases (90%), weight loss in 29 cases (87%), weakness and fatigue in 24 cases (72%). The gallbladder was palpable in 10 cases (30%) and anal swelling noted in 1 patient (3.03%).  The delay in admission from beginning of disease manifestation to the time of first consultation was 4 months in 26 cases (78%), between 9 and 14 months in 6 cases (12%) and 2 years in 1 case (3.03%). The ultrasound results which showed dilatation of the extra hepatic biliary ducts in 29 patients (88%), also revealed the nature of the obstruction in 15 cases (55%) Surgical exploration was performed in order to precisely determine the underlying etiology of the icterus. The 33 patients of our study were prepared preoperatively with placing of venous access, nasogastric tube, urine catheter and antibiotic administration. In 4 patients, the tumor progression was considered to be too invasive with evidence of metastatic disease and considered unfit for the study. The primary tumor had originated from either the hepatic, main biliary duct, pancreas or hepatic hilum tissues. A medial approach with line of incision below the plane of the umbilicus was chosen for laparotomy.  The average duration of the hospital stay was 19.57 days with a range of 2 to 104 days.
The postoperative period was uneventful in 22 patients(67%), complicated by septicemia and/or cholangitis in 5 cases, hemorrhage in 2 cases, hypovolemic shock in 1 case, and postoperative deaths noted in 10 patients(30%). Disappearance of the jaundice and pruritus had been noted in 23 patients.

Discussion
In our institute, the incidence of obstructive jaundice was 0.8%. The results are conforming to other results which we have found in medical literature. Subsequently, authors in Burkina Faso [6] and in Cameroon [7] have respectively reported 2 cases of obstructive jaundice over a period of 6years and 30 cases over 10 years. During 7 years, others have assembled 38 cases of tumor of head of pancreas associated with jaundice presentation. [8] In France, 119 cases of mechanical obstruction with icterus had been collected over a period of 4 years from 1197 to 2001. [11] The relative rare incidence of this condition is due to a statistical inaccuracy explained by the preference for traditional treatment methods and a number of patients who remain untreated due to lack of financial adequacy. The most commonly affected age group was between 55 and 56 years seen in 12 cases (36%). Faik M et al [10] in Morocco in 1998 ek Nko'o Amvene S. et al [5] in Cameroon in 1990 have respectively reportedly an average age of 50 years and 48 years. The results of our study have been found to be similar to Takongmo S. et al [9] who in 2010 reported an average age of 55 years compared to 44years in Togo and Chalya P. L. However, the age estimated in France in 2004 was higher, between 64 and 69 years [12] with age extremes of 22 and 102. Young age at presentation is a non-specific finding and may be seen in many other pathologies in Africa. [14] Male predominance has been noted at 52% compared to 48% in females, with a sex ratio of 1.06. This value is comparable with studies from Cameroon [6] which recorded at 60% male predominance versus 405 in females at a sex ratio of 1.5. Our results were lower than other studies which reported 73% for males against 27% for females at a sex ratio of 2.66. [4] In their study about surgical jaundice, Traore S. S et al [8] had reported a male-to-femalesex ratio of 3:1.
Skin pruritus and abdominal pain were among the first compelling signs in 78 % and 69% of patients to seek medical consult. The abdominal pain was located in the right hypochondriac region in 33% of patients. Studies in Togo similarly reported right hypochondriac pain in 34% and pruritus in 89% of patients [3], in Tanzania pruritus was recorded in 77% and 58% for abdominal pain [10]. In patients with tumors located in the head of the pancreas, 69% reported to have abdominal pain.
Jaundice was reported in 100% of cases and scratch marks in 42%. Other manifestations observed were hepatomegaly (72%), enlarged gallbladder (30%). Our results were superior to those of Faik M. et al [10] who recorded hepatomegaly in 23% and enlarged gallbladder in 34% during physical examination.
The ultrasound results were appreciated in 100% in several studies [4,13,8,3]. However, the biological tests did not show satisfying specificity. The association of the level of serum level of tumor markers such as fetal antigen, CA19-9 has 100% sensitivity in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. [8] In this service, however, these tests are not performed. Abdominal ultrasound is the diagnostic test of choice test when jaundice is present. [2] It has high sensitivity for detection of dilatation of bile ducts and obstruction [14]. Biliary tract dilatationseen in 29 patients (87%) assisted in revealing the exact etiology of the jaundice in 15 patients (45%). Studies showed that 93% of diagnoses were made Visceral Surgery, Donka National Hospital with ultrasound at a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 80%. [3,7] However, ultrasound is less efficient in determining the nature of the stenosis if the obstruction is not caused by a tumor [14]. Not all cases of obstructive jaundice can be diagnosed based solely on ultrasound results thus driving surgeons to opt for exploratory laparotomy. [7]. Despite the advent of advanced and more complex imaging techniques, the hospitals in this developing section of the world are unable to afford the cost of supplying expensive equipment [2]. Ultrasound imaging results are variable depending on the experience and skill of the physician performing the technique. [15] The definite etiology of the condition is rarely determined by clinical and imaging tests alone and therefore, laparotomy is the only alternative to finding the cause. [7] The principal etiologies of jaundice discovered during surgery were tumor in head of pancreas in 23 cases (63%), cholethiasis 9%. Our results were superior to Takongmo S. et al [9] who reported 53.3% and 6.6 % for tumors of the pancreas and cholelithiasis respectively, and Sonhaye et al. [4] with 46.03% and 19.05% respectively, but inferior to Chalya P. L. et al. [12] who had 64.7% for tumors in pancreatic head and 62.5% for cholelithiasis.
Principal palliative management comprised of a diversion of the biliary duct in 30 cases (90.9%), with laterolateral choledoduodenostomy in majority of patients (87%). A choledotomy was performed in 14 cases (42%) for stone extraction and was followed by a choledochoduodenostomy in 11 cases (33%).
The choice for performing choledochoduodenostomy is related to its relative simplicity and rapidity of completion of the procedure, thus, being appropriate for patients in poor health. [15] Curative surgery for tumors of the head of the pancreas (5%) is rarely considered as first choice. In cases of malignant obstruction, if an early diagnosis is made then curative resection may be possible, otherwise only palliative procedures are performed; in inoperable malignant cases endoprosthesis may be used to relieve the obstruction. [8,16]. Choledochoduodenostomy or hepatojejunostomy are both related to a significantly higher mortality rate [16]. The use of biliary prosthesis is preferred over surgery to prevent unnecessary laparotomies [11,13,8]. However, the result is short-lived as regular stent replacement is required [15]. While endoscopic intervention is not yet available in the local hospitals, laparotomy gives way to ample visualization of the tumor and assists to decide on its resectability [13,8].
The procedures of choice in 3 cases (9.09%) of biliary stones were cholecystectomy, choledocoduodenostomy and choledocotomy. The management of the biliary stones is based on the competence of the surgeon and clinical presentation. The choice for the procedure can be either ERCP with sphincterotomy and extraction of stones or a complete surgical approach with cholecystectomy and cholangiography with laparoscopic exploration of biliary tracts. [19]. The technique of biliary diversion prevents the recurrence of obstruction by stones [20].
The signs have regressed in 23 patients (69%) but persisted in 7 patients (21%), with 10 cases of death reported (30%). However, 1 post-surgical patient had deteriorating health condition despite disappearance of jaundice. Berrada S. et al [15] had reported complete disappearance of jaundice and pruritus in 98% and mortality rate of 8,7% compared to Tankongmo S. et al [9] with a lower mortality rate of 6,6%. The high mortality rates are accounted for by the presentation of the disease in its late course. [21]. Postoperative mortality rates are lower in patients had received prosthesis, which is possible to perform in 70-95% of cases, either via endoscopic or laparoscopic route or percutaneous route with radiological assistance, and associated with a combined mortality rate of 3% only [12].

Conclusion
Mechanical obstructive jaundice is a rare pathology in the service. It has a male predominance and arises mostly around the age of 50. Ultrasound sonography represents an important paraclinical diagnostic test to visualize the obstruction along the biliary tract.
In cases where malignancies are the causes, presence of icterus signifies an advanced tumor progression stage. Due to the lack of endoscopic diagnostic and treatment techniques, definite diagnosis can only be made in perioperative phase. The management chiefly consists of surgical intervention through a palliative deviation of biliary tract. Therefore, improvement of the prognosis and chance of recovery depend on the necessity of making an early diagnosis and rapid intervention for jaundice.