OBJECTIVE To review the results of laparoscopic biliary bypass for both benign and malignant pathologies in a minimal access surgery training center. METHODS Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of laparoscopic biliary bypass during the period 1995-2004. RESULTS During the review period 1995-2004, there were 26 laparoscopic biliary bypasses performed in our center which included 23 laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy (LCD), 2 laparoscopic roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (LCJ) and 1 laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy (LCCJ). Of the 23 LCD, all except 1 patient were operated for recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC). The 2 LCJ and 1 LCCJ were performed for patients with advanced carcinoma in the periampullary region and simultaneous laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ) was also performed to relieve the gastric outflow obstruction. Among the 23 LCD, there were 2 open conversions (7.7%) for lost broken tip of ultrasonic dissector and significant bleeding during choledochotomy respectively. Major complications occurred in 6 patients (23%), which included 3 bile leaks (11.5%), 1 intraabdominal collection (3.8%). 1 wound infection (3.8%) and 1 gastric stasis (3.8%). The only mortality in our series was a patient with carcinoma of head of pancreas undergoing simultaneous roux-en-Y LCCJ and LGJ. He had persistent gastric stasis after operation and required revision surgery for the kinked cholecystojejunostomy anastomosis. He finally died of myocardial ischemia after the second operation. As for the postoperative pain control, the mean pethidine consumption was 243.4 +/- 254.7 mg (range 0-1200 mg) and mean dologesic usage was 16.2 +/- 20.4 tablets (range 0-94 tablets). The average postoperative hospital stay was 12.6 +/- 11.5 days (range 5-60 days). The long-term functional results were satisfactory and only 1 patient had recurrent stone upon a mean follow-up of 32.3 months. Among the patients with malignant biliary obstruction, the only mishap was as previously mentioned and the remaining 2 patients could enjoy satisfactory palliation for more than a year before death. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic bypass is not only feasible but also highly effective in relieving biliary obstruction with good postoperative results in both benign and malignant conditions.