Objective To explore the feasibility and clinical value of metallic stent in the management of unresectable hepatic portal cholangiocarcinoma. Methods A study was investigated in 17 patients with unresectable hepatic portal cholangiocarcinoma from January 1998 to January 2006. A memory alloy biliary stent was placed into the obstructive bile duct for internal biliary drainage. Results Patients’ jaundice disappeared within 2 weeks after the stent placement. Cholangiography via the drainage tube showed patent bile ducts. Follow-up surveys in 16 patients for 4~30 months (mean, 11.5 months) revealed a survival time of 4~20 months (mean, 11 months) in 13 fatal patients. The remaining 3 patients had survived 10, 12.5, and 30 months, respectively. Conclusions Placement of memory metallic biliary stent for patients with unresectable hepatic portal cholangiocarcinoma is an ideal palliative therapy, which is simple and effective for reducing jaundice.