BackgroundThis study was performed to compare a metal stent (MS) and plastic stent (PS) in terms of efficacy and complications during neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and the perioperative period.MethodsWe performed an electronic search of the following databases until 1 June 2022: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies comparing an MS versus PS for PBD in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing NAT were included.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed that use of an MS was associated with lower rates of reintervention (p< 0.00001), delay of NAT (p= 0.007), recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) (p= 0.003), and cholangitis (p= 0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of stent migration (p= 0.31), postoperative complications (p= 0.20), leakage (p= 0.90), and R0 resection (p= 0.50).ConclusionsUse of an MS for PBD in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing NAT followed by surgery was associated with lower rates of reintervention, delay of NAT, RBO, and cholangitis compared with use of a PS. However, the postoperative outcomes were comparable between the MS and PS. Further studies on this topic are recommended.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-023-02874-5.