AIM:To assess the short-term therapeutic effect of interventional treatment on biliary obstructive jaundice in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Forty-two patients (32 male, 10 female;mean age, 61.2±11.4 years;age range, 36-87 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary obstruction admitted from June 1998 to June 2006 received interventional treatment. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was performed in 37 patients. Metallic stents were implanted in 11 patients (Five patients were implanted directly in the procedures, and the other 6 patients were treated initially by placing drainage catheters, and then the catheters was replaced by stents.). Serum total bilirubin before operation and 3-7 days, 8-14 days after the procedure were analyzed by ANOVA test. Karnofsky performance score (KPS) before operation and 2 weeks after the procedure were analyzed by paired-t test. RESULTS:The level of serum total bilirubin significantly decreased from 23.6±8.4 mg/dl before the procedure to 16.8±8.5 mg/ dl 3-7 days and 12.9 ± 9.2 mg/dl 8-14 days after the procedure (P<0.01). KPS increased from 60.7 ± 7.1 before operation to 80.2 ± 9. 2 two weeks after operation (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Interventional therapy may be a simple, safe, and effective treatment for biliary obstruction with hepatocellular carcinoma. It can improve the life quality of the patients. AIM: To assess the short-term therapeutic effect of interventional treatment on biliary obstructive jaundice in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients (32 male, 10 female; mean age, 61.2 ± 11.4 years; age range, 36-87 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary obstruction admitted from June 1998 to June 2006. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was performed in 37 patients. Metallic stents were implanted in 11 patients (Five patients were implanted directly in the procedures, and the other 6 patients were treated initially by placing drainage catheters, and then the catheters were replaced by stents.). Serum total bilirubin before operation and 3-7 days, 8-14 days after the procedure was analyzed by ANOVA test. Karnofsky performance score (KPS) before operation and 2 weeks after the procedure was analyzed by paired-t test. RESULTS: The level of serum total bilirubin significantly from 23.6 ± 8.4 mg / dl before the procedure to 16.8 ± 8.5 mg / dl 3-7 days and 12.9 ± 9.2 mg / dl after 8-14 days after the procedure (P <0.01). KPS increased from 60.7 ± 7.1 before operation to 80.2 ± 9.2 two weeks after operation (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Interventional therapy may be a simple, safe, and effective treatment for biliary obstruction with hepatocellular carcinoma. It can improve the life quality of the patients.