The causes of biliary obstruction are diverse, but the subsequent series of pathophysiological alterations are quite similar after its onset. Inflammatory response as the main reaction plays a very important role in the hepatic and systemic injury secondary to biliary obstruction. To understand and clarify the role and impact of the inflammatory response in the pathophysiological alterations following biliary obstruction is of special significance for dealing with this disease. This paper reviews the process of the inflammatory response to biliary obstruction and its underlying mechanism.