Gallbladder Disease

First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

  • A wide spectrum of biliary tract diseases can be seen in the ICU.
  • Presentations can range from mildly abnormal blood chemistries (i.e., usually liver function tests)
  • Biliary diseases can complicate other ICU admission diagnoses.
  • History of cholelithiasis?
  • History of hepatic disease?
  • Is the patient septic?
  • Are there signs of biliary obstruction that might require urgent biliary decompression?
  • Is there support for urgent surgical or endoscopic intervention?

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Last updated: April 20, 2010