Biliary Drainage Method Impacts Outcomes in Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Preoperative biliary drainage method significantly impacts outcomes in patients with biliary tract and pancreatic cancer undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Higher morbidity rates were observed with endoscopic biliary drainage methods compared to percutaneous drainage. Percutaneous drainage was associated with worse disease-free survival in biliary tract cancer but did not affect outcomes in pancreatic cancer. Lower albumin levels were linked to decreased overall survival. Results suggest important considerations for optimal biliary drainage strategies before surgery.