The current rise in the incidence of cholelithiasis is accompanied by an increased frequency of its complicated forms. Mechanical jaundice is a common unfavourable complication of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis, its consequence. Epidemiology, etiology, and clinical features of this disease are discussed Classification of mechanical jaundice is proposed Much attention is given to its pathogenetic mechanisms. Methods of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics as well as approaches to the surgical treatment of mechanical jaundice are described