BILIARY COLIC

Course overview

BILIARY COLIC IS DEFINED AS PAIN IN THE ABDOMEN, DUE TO OBSTRUCTION USUALLY BY STONES IN THE CYSTIC DUCT OR COMMON BILE DUCT OF THE BILIARY TREE. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER EATING A LARGE, FATTY MEAL THAT CAUSES CONTRACTION OF THE GALLBLADDER. TREATMENT OF THIS DISEASE IS PRIMARILY SURGICAL, INVOLVING REMOVAL OF THE GALLBLADDER, TYPICALLY USING A LAPAROSCOPIC TECHNIQUE. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE RISK FACTORS, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY COLIC AND STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.