Objective To investigate the effects of intravenous fluid restriction on complications after biliary surgery.Methods The clinical data of 168 patients who received biliary surgery at the Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command from October 2006 to March 2008 were prospectively analyzed.All patients were randomly divided into test group(85 patients received fluid restriction treatment)and control group(83 patients received conventional treatment)by the sealed envelope method.The difference in the fluid volume between the 2groups was observed.Differences in systemic complication rate,local complication rate,general complication rate,time to bowl movement,length of hospital stay and mortality between the 2 groups were compared.All data were analyzed using the chi-square test,t test,Fisher exact test,Results The median total volumes of fluid in test group and control group were 1450 ml and 2420 ml,respectively,with significant difference between the 2 groups (t=-5.067,P<0.05).The median volumes of erystalloid solution in the test group was 850 ml,which was significantly lower than 1500 ml of the control group(t=-15.190,P<0.05).The postoperative systemic complication rate and general complication rate of the test group were 9%(8/85)and 19%(16/85),which were lower than 22%(18/83)and 30%(25/83)of the control group.There was a significant difference in the postoperative systemic complication rate between the test group and the control group(x2=4.837,P<0.05).The time to bowl movement and length of hospital stay were 2 days and 9 days in the restriction fluid group,which were significantly shorter than4 days and 12 days in the control group(t=-8.102,-2.003,P<0.05).The mortalities of test group and control group were 2%(2/85)and 4%(3/83),respectively,with no significant difference between the 2 groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Fluid restriction reduces the complication rate,shortens the length of hospital stay and accelerates recovery after biliary operation.