Association of pre-drainage bilirubin levels and pathological features with survival in patients undergoing preoperative biliary drainage: a single-center retrospective study

Background: In clinical practice, bilirubin levels are recognized as a crucial biochemical indicator closely associated with hepatobiliary function and the severity of biliary obstruction, and there is growing interest in exploring the potential correlation between varying preoperative bilirubin levels and clinical outcomes in patients with obstructive jaundice. Obstructive jaundice, characterized by impaired bile excretion and subsequent bilirubin accumulation, poses significant challenges to clinical treatment due to its heterogeneous etiologies and variable patient responses to intervention, highlighting the need for personalized therapeutic strategies based on key prognostic factors. This study conducted a single-center retrospective analysis to systematically investigate differences in patient clinical outcomes across different preoperative bilirubin levels. The aim of this study is to clarify the association between preoperative bilirubin stratification and postoperative recovery, complication rates, and long-term prognosis, thereby providing evidence-based support for establishing more rational, targeted, and individualized treatment strategies for patients with obstructive jaundice. Methods: Based on the level of bilirubin elevation before biliary drainage, patients were stratified into mild jaundice group (bilirubin