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Preoperative biliary drainage for pancreatic cancer

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 7, pages 308–309 (2010)Cite this article

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Biliary drainage before surgery for cancer of the head of the pancreas can relieve obstructive jaundice and potentially improve surgical outcomes. However, van der Gaag et al. found that preoperative biliary drainage increases the rate of serious complications in these patients. Should this procedure be routinely performed in patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer?

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Bremserstrasse 79, D-67063, Ludwigshafen, Germany

    Jürgen F. Riemann

  2. Medical Department II, Klinikum Hanau, Leimenstrasse 20, D-63450, Hanau, Germany

    Axel Eickhoff

Authors
  1. Jürgen F. Riemann
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  2. Axel Eickhoff
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Correspondence to Jürgen F. Riemann.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Riemann, J., Eickhoff, A. Preoperative biliary drainage for pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 7, 308–309 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2010.65

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2010.65

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