ABSTRACT Introduction Cancer gall bladder is twice more common in women and is the leading cancer among digestive cancers in women in the northern Indian cities. It is one of the most common cause of surgical obstructive jaundice in cases presenting to our Outpatients. Most of the time cancer gallbladder causes malignant jaundice due to high proximal duct obstruction. Majority of these patients are poor, illiterate and with daily income of less than $1-2. The overall resection rates at presentation range from 10%-30% only. Therefore, a large number of patients are inoperable with overall survival of only 5-6 months. In inoperable cancer gallbladder palliation of jaundice, pruritus, nausea and vomiting is an important quality of life issue. In these patients keeping the cost and visit to the hospital to minimum is also a challenge. In the present study an attempt has been made to see effect of external biliary drainage on quality of life of patients with inoperable cancer gallbladder. Methods Patients (n=24) who reported in Surgical OPD from Jan 2011 to Jan 2012 with unresectable carcinoma gallbladder with jaundice were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 65 years (range of 42 - 85 years). All of the patients were jaundiced, 96 % had pruritus and nausea and vomiting in 60%. Average duration of symptoms was 2.4 months (range of 1-5 months). In n=24 patients (19 females and 5 males) USG guided percutaneous external catheter drainage was performed by interventional radiologist. These patients were assessed for pre- and post-drainage total serum bilirubin levels, pruritus, nausea and vomiting and procedure related complications. Follow up information was obtained through telephonic interview or in person on OPD visit. Results Patients undergoing external drainage spent a median time of 21 days for their entire hospitalization till discharge with catheter in situ. The average pre-drainage bilirubin level was 16.8 mg/dl and post drainage was 7.5 mg/dl after one week. In patients n=18 pre procedure bilirubin level >10 mg/dL took 90 days (longer) to return to normal compared to patients n=6 whose pre procedure bilirubin levels was Conclusion Nearly 100% patients reported reduction in bilirubin levels however the duration was 90 days in patients with pre procedure bilirubin levels >10 mg/dL compared to 57 days in patients with pre procedure bilirubin levels