Postoperative jaundice.

Abstract

Jaundice in the postoperative patient is a common complication of surgery that may be a confusing and potentially serious problem. The surgical patient is subjected to a variety of stresses, such as hypotension, infection, drugs, and anesthetic agents, many of which are potentially hepatotoxic. Management of the patient with postoperative jaundice can be difficult because the precise cause of the hepatic insult is frequently indeterminate. It is important for the clinician to recognize the patterns of liver injury that may occur in the postoperative period in order to initiate appropriate management.