A randomized clinical trial of oral ursodeoxycholic acid in obstructive jaundice

Abstract

Abstract Forty patients with obstructive jaundice (bilirubin > 100 μmol/l) were entered into a randomized trial of oral ursodeoxycholic acid for 48 h before surgery versus no additional therapy. Pre-operative venous and operative portal total bile salt concentrations were higher in the bile salt treated patients (P < 0·001). Portal endotoxaemia during operation was reduced in ursodeoxycholic acid treated patients (P < 0·05). There was no significant difference in systemic venous endotoxaemia, renal function or postoperative morbidity or mortality. This study suggests pre-operative oral bile salt therapy may be of no clinical benefit in patients with obstructive jaundice.