When percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is required for the management of malignant biliary obstruction, the local policy favours the use of internal-external drains. Regular planned drain exchanges are scheduled, and patients have open access back into the system to minimise complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the success and complication rate of this method for the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. The hospital records of 43 consecutive patients who underwent PTBD for malignant biliary obstruction at a single institution between 1 February 2004 and 31 January 2006 were reviewed. Outcomes were examined until January 2008. Biliary decompression was achieved in all 43 patients. The level of obstruction was defined as distal in 24 patients and perihilar in 19 patients. There was one procedure-related death. There were 91 routine outpatient drain exchanges performed at a median interval of 45 (range 21-64) days. Overall, 24/43 patients encountered 80 discrete complications related to biliary drainage. Fifty-two non-scheduled drain exchanges (accounting for 65% of all complications) were performed on an outpatient basis. Fourteen patients were readmitted on a median of one (range 1-3) occasion for a median duration of 3 (range 1-12) days. Median survival was 71 (range 7-850) days. PTBD can be performed with low mortality, but long-term morbidity remains high despite an aggressive approach to maintaining biliary patency. Providing patients with an open-access service means the majority of complications can be dealt with on an outpatient basis.