To summarize and analyze the causes, types and surgical treatment for benign biliary strictures (BBS). Methods: A total of 568 patients with BBS were diagnosed and treated at our center from 1975 to 1998. Among them, 352 were females and the mean age was 48.5. The types ofbiliary stricture were proposed according to their sites and degrees. The causes of BBS were analyzed and different procedures were performed in relation to the types of strictures. Results: In lines with the classification, all 568 patients were divided into 6 types, that is, Type Ⅰ,papillary stricture (n=71); Type Ⅱ or Ⅲ, stricture of common bile or hepatic duct with common hepatic duct longer (n=79) or shorter (n=82) than 2 cm respectively; Type Ⅳ, common hepatic duct absence but with intact confluence (n=35); Type Ⅴ, stricture of the confluence (n=102); and Type Ⅵ, stricture of left or right main intrahepatic duct (n=199). The major causes of BBS were lithiasis (54.58%), operative strictures (44.96%) and postoperatively inflammatory strictures (2.28%). Of 568 patients, 546 underwent varied operations. In 278 followed patients, excellent results were achieved in 210 (75.53%). The mortality rate was 1.69% (9 patients). The incidence rate of complications was 14.29% (78 patients). Conclusion: The lithiasis, operative and postoperative inflammatory strictures are 3 major causes of BBS. Different procedures should be used according to the different types of BBS, and bilio-enteric anastomosis is the most common treatment for the cases.