The role of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) before surgery for tumors of the pancreatic head causing biliary obstruction has been controversial. A recent randomized trial revealed a higher complication rate with PBD in comparison to early surgery (within one week). Based on this trial, early surgery should be considered the preferred approach; however, the role of PBD when early surgery is not possible remains unclear.
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Renouf, D., Moore, M. Is PBD suitable for resectable pancreatic cancer?. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 7, 246–247 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2010.46
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2010.46