Objective To investigate the recurrence of hepatolithiasis and reoperation and their relation to the location of intrahepatic stone. MethodsTwo hundred and twentysix patients of hepatolithiasis operated upon in the period of 1990-1995 were retrospectively analysed.ResultsAmong those patients, there were 101 patients (44.7%) had previous operation for the gallstones diseases including cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones (n=21, 20.8%), choledocholithotomy (n=72, 71.3%),liver segmentectomy (n=6, 5.9%), and choledochojejunostomy (n=2, 2.0%). The operative mortality was 5.0% for the reoperation group and none for the first time operation for hepatolithiasis.Conclusion Although the liver resection is an ideal surgical method to eradicate the diseased lesion and to minimize the malignant changes especially in primary hepatolithiasis (type I, or IE), choledochojejunostomy is only recommended for the secondary type (type IE or IE) where possible. In the management of hepatolithiasis, the complete information of biliary tract is needed for the choice of surgical methods.