ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of timing of definitive operation on prognosis of patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI). MethodsThe clinical data of 38 patients with IBDI were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 38 patients, the injury happened in 7 patients in our hospital while 31 patients were transferred in from other hospitals. We analyzed the previous operative records, the clinical manifestations of the patients, the radiological images and our operative findings in the definitive operations. According to the timing of the definitive operation, the patients were divided into the intraoperative repair group (n=26), the early repair group (n=15) and the delayed repair group (n=17). ResultsPatients in the intraoperative repair group had the best short-and long-term results, the shortest length of hospital stay and the lowest total cost. The early repair group, though having worse Results than the intraoperative repair group was still better than the delayed repair group. However, early detection of injuries and the ability to carry out timely corrective procedures depended on the availability of surgical expertise in the hospital. ConclusionsThe timing of definitive operation to provide corrective surgery to IBDI was a vitally important factor which affected prognosis.It is best to repair the injury within the same operation. The repair should be carried out by a doctor with ample experience in bile duct surgery.