Objective To investigate the clinical effect of surgical treatment for hilar cholangio-carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 89 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma surgically treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into 3 groups: radical resection(group A,n=23),palliative resection (group B,n=44) and external drainage operation (group C,n=22). Complications,operative mortality,survival rate and posttreatment quality of lire were compara-tively analyzed among the 3 groups. Results The rate of complications was significantly higher in group A than in group C (P<0.05). There was no marked difference in operative mortality between group A and group B (P>0.05). The 1-,2-and 3-year survival rates and scoring of quality of life were remarkably higher in group A than in other 2 groups (P<0. 001 and 0. 05). Conclusion Radical re-section of hilar cholangiocarcinoma can improve the long-term survival and significantly enhance quality of life of the patients after operation. For patients receiving unradical resection, palliative surgical man-agement can improve the long-term survival and enhance quality of life.