A STUDY OF HUMAN LIVER BILE AFTER RELEASE OF COMMON DUCT OBSTRUCTION

Abstract

Specimens were obtained from 18 patients in whom a "T" tube had been inserted in the common bile duct for biliary drainage after obstruction. Although the total bile was rarely obtained the data are characteristic of the composition of hepatic bile after release of duct obstruction. The bile salts are always absent in the hepatic bile after the common duct has been obstructed for a week or more and their reappearance occurs after a variable period. The Ca concentration of such bile is usually lower than the plasma level for Ca. The chloride concentration is usually higher than plasma level immediately after release of the obstruction. It tended to fall in those patients who recovered and to rise in those who died. The average bile flow per day in the first 5 days in the patients who recovered was greater than that in the patients who died.