A case of jaundice due to unilateral hepatic duct obstruction with relief after hepatic lobectomy

A case is reported of jaundice developing in a patient with obstruction of the left hepatic duct and partial obstruction of the right hepatic duct by tumour. Adequate drainage of bile from the right hepatic duct through a T-tube was relatively ineffective in relieving the jaundice. On the other hand, resection of the obstructed left lobe resulted in the disappearance of icterus. The basic mechanism involved in the production of jaundice under these circumstances is incompletely understood.