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| **A long course, 4-6 weeks, of an appropriate antibiotic should be given in light of bacterial culture and sensitivity results. | | **A long course, 4-6 weeks, of an appropriate antibiotic should be given in light of bacterial culture and sensitivity results. |
| **Selected antibiotic should be excreted in the bile in active form, and should be active against aerobic and anaerobic intestinal coliforms. | | **Selected antibiotic should be excreted in the bile in active form, and should be active against aerobic and anaerobic intestinal coliforms. |
− | **Amoxicillin potentiated with clavulanic acid at 15-20 mg/kg PO q8 hours is a good initial choice. | + | **Amoxicillin potentiated with clavulanic acid is a good initial choice. |
| **Metronidazole may be added to extend the spectrum of anaerobes and coliforms. | | **Metronidazole may be added to extend the spectrum of anaerobes and coliforms. |
| *Surgery is warranted if discrete choleliths or complete biliary obstruction is identified. | | *Surgery is warranted if discrete choleliths or complete biliary obstruction is identified. |
| **In cases of complete extrahepatic biliary obstruction, surgical decompression and cholecystoduodenostomy or cholecystojejunostomy should be performed. | | **In cases of complete extrahepatic biliary obstruction, surgical decompression and cholecystoduodenostomy or cholecystojejunostomy should be performed. |
− | *Ursodeoxycholic acid at 15 mg/kg q24 hours PO may be given. | + | *Ursodeoxycholic acid may be given. |
| **It has hepatoprotective (anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects) properties and choleretic effect. The latter promotes increased fluidity of biliary secretions for treating or preventing sludging. | | **It has hepatoprotective (anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects) properties and choleretic effect. The latter promotes increased fluidity of biliary secretions for treating or preventing sludging. |
| *Aggressive supportive care is required due to severe illness. | | *Aggressive supportive care is required due to severe illness. |