ObjectiveTo explore the advantages and disadvantages of preoperative biliary drainage, the timing of preoperative biliary drainage, and the characteristics of various drainage methods for resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsBy reviewing relevant literatures at home and abroad in the past 20 years, the controversies related to the preoperative biliary drainage, surgical biliary drainage, and various drainage methods for resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma were reviewed.ResultsThere is still a great deal of controversy about whether preoperative bile duct drainage is required for resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma routinely, but there is a consensus on the timing of preoperative biliary drainage, and various drainage methods have their own characteristics.ConclusionsThe main treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is radical surgical resection, but cholestasis is often caused by malignant biliary obstruction, which makes it difficult to manage perioperatively. A large number of prospective studies are needed to provide more evidence for the need for routine preoperative biliary drainage in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who can undergo resection.