Objective: To investigate the diagnostic and predictive value of measuring peritoneal inflammatory cytokines  in predicting biliary fistulas in patients undergoing biliary surgery.
 Methods: Peritoneal samples and serum samples of 3227 biliary surgery patients were collected on the first, third, fifth postoperative day, and IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and CRP of the samples were measured. Patients were divided into two groups: those with clinical evidence of biliary fistulas and those without any evidence of biliary fistulas.The age, sex, operative method and operative time between the two groups were compared.
 Results: There was a negative correlation between biliary fistulas and age, sex and operation mode; but blood loss, operation time and common bile duct diameter had positive correlation with biliary fistulas. Peritoneal cytokine levels were significantly higher in patients with biliary fistulas as compared to those without biliary fistulas.
 Conclusions: The peritoneal cytokine level is a sensitive parameter of peritoneal inflammation and can be as an additional diagnostic tool for the early prediction of biliary fistulas after biliary surgery.