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

Preoperative biliary drainage for cancer of the head of the pancreas. N Engl J Med 2010; 362: 129-137.

Published: 1st January 2010

Authors: Van der Gaag NA, Rauws EAJ, van Eijck CHJ, Bruno MJ, van der Harst E, Kubben FJGM et al. et al.

Conclusion

Preoperative biliary stenting for 4-6 weeks actually increased the rate of serious complications after pancreatic surgery (74 vs. 39 per cent, P<0.001) in this study that included 202 patients. Drainage had no effect on mortality or duration of hospital stay.

Pubmed Link