The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

A meta-analysis on the efficacy of preoperative biliary drainage for tumors causing obstructive jaundice. Ann Surg 2002; 236: 17-27.

Published: 1st January 2002

Authors: Sewnath ME, Karsten TM, Prins MH, Rauws EJA, Obertop H, Gouma DJ. et al.

Conclusion

This review included 302 patients in five randomized clinical trials and 18 cohort studies. It was concluded that routine preoperative biliary drainage carried no improvement in postoperative survival, though there was some evidence that the rate of complications was reduced.

Pubmed Link