A case of prolonged jaundice after surgical treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas relieved with dibutyryl cyclic AMP

Recently, we experienced a case of obstructive jaundice caused by a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas which could not be relieved by reduction surgery. The operation performed was a cholecystectomy and supraduodenal choledochotomy with T-tube insertion. Glucagon and insulin were, therefore, administered with the aim towards the recovery of the liver function to be induced by the enhancement of the liver regeneration. The treatment, however, was not effective. Then, dibutyryl cyclic AMP was administered to the case by intravenous drip infusions at the rate of 5 micrograms/kg/min. Thereafter, the value of serum total bilirubin was reduced remarkably. A prolonged and intense obstructive jaundice is generally accompanied by damage to the liver function, and the condition carries a high risk of postoperative complication. In this paper, the effectiveness of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on liver cell damage caused by prolonged obstructive jaundice are reported.