Specialty: General surgery
Age group: Adult
Direct to an emergency department for:
- Suspected acute cholecystitis
- Suspected acute cholangitis
- Suspected obstructive jaundice
- Suspected pancreatitis
Criteria for referral to public hospital service
- Symptomatic gallstones
- Asymptomatic gallstones greater than or equal to 2 centimetres
- Recurrent biliary colic
- Gallbladder polyp greater than or equal to 7 millimetres
- Any polyp with focal wall thickening adjacent to the polyp.
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- Onset, characteristics and duration of symptoms
- Hepatobiliary ultrasound results
- Statement about the patient’s interest in having surgical treatment if that is a possible intervention.
Provide if available
- Most recent liver function test.
Additional comments
The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
Follow up hepatobiliary ultrasound may be indicated to monitor for growth in gallbladder polyps less than 7 millimetres.
Where appropriate and available, the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service. Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for
- Asymptomatic gallstones less than 2 centimetres
- Gallbladder polyp less than 7 millimetres
- Raised liver function tests without evidence of gallstones or gallbladder polyps.
Reviewed 27 May 2025