Hidden work in hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery: the contemporary demands of non-operative patient management.

Background: Increasing use is now made of modalities other than surgery (including endoscopy and interventional radiology) in the care of patients with hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) diseases. However, the care of and responsibility for patients managed non-operatively continues to reside with surgical services. This investigation was undertaken to quantify the implications of non-operative patient related admissions our HPB unit over a 24 month period.