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Several retrospective studies and a prospective randomized trial have demonstrated that preoperative biliary drainage reduces surgical morbidity and mortality after pancreatic head resection for pancreatic head cancer. However, two meta-analyses and a systematic review have shown that the procedure was associated with a higher rate of overall complications. Despite these conflicting findings, preoperative biliary drainage remains the standard of care in many centers.
To assess the rates of serious complications, death, and length of hospital stay associated with preoperative biliary drainage, researchers in the Netherlands conducted a multicenter, randomized trial involving 202 patients with obstructive jaundice. Patients underwent biliary d…