Objective　To evaluate the effect of abdominal drains on difficult cholecystectomy.Method　894 cases of difficult cholecystectomy from Jan. 1988 to Jun. 1999 were retrospectively analysed.Results　The incidences of complication, reoperation and death in drain group were 6.81%,1.16% and 0.33%，respectively while those in non-drain group were 33.56%,9.59% and 4.11% respectively.There was significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion　Abdominal drains should be laid routinely in difficult cholecystectomy.