OBJECTIVE To discuss the clinical characteristics of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) with kidney stones. METHODS The clinical data of 23 cases undergoing diagnostic evaluation and surgery for PHPT combined with kidney stones between January 2004 and February 2012 was retrospectively analyzed. The 23 cases had undergone preoperative parathyroid neck color ultrasound, CT or (99)mTc-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile ((99)mTc-MIBI) diagnosis. The surgical treatment included parathyroid disease and kidney stones. The intravenous calcium, phosphorus and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, 24 hours urinary calcium concentrations were measured 3 days before and 7 days after surgery. RESULTS There were 8 male and 15 female patients. The stone diameter were (3.2 ± 0.7) cm (range 2.1-4.0 cm). All patients did both parathyroid surgery and kidney surgery. The statistical discrepancy of serum calcium (there were (3.31 ± 0.39) mmol/L before surgery and (2.12 ± 0.18) mmol/L at 7 days after surgery, t = 11.26), serum phosphorus ((0.70 ± 0.09) and (1.21 ± 0.21) mmol/L in before and after surgery respectively, t = 10.53), iPTH (there were (28.8 ± 10.0) pmol/L before surgery and (3.6 ± 2.6) pmol/L after surgery, t = 12.83) and 24-hours urine calcium (there were (7.2 ± 3.1) mmol/d before surgery and (3.6 ± 2.5) mmol/d after surgery, t = 8.81) before and after the operation was significant (all P < 0.01). PTH concentration with serum calcium concentration correlation coefficient was r = 0.59 (P < 0.01). Eighteen patients (78.3%) had solitary parathyroid adenomas, two patients (8.7%) had multiple parathyroid adenomas, and three patients (13.0%) had multiglandular hyperplasia confirmed at surgery and histology. During follow-up, 8 patients had stone recurrence and 3 patients were did operation again to deal with renal stone within 2 years. Among them, 7 cases were normal, 1 case of parathyroid adenomas recurrence and reoperation. CONCLUSIONS The parathyroid operation may reduce the calculus recurrence remarkably. Early diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is helpful to reduce the calculus recurrence and preserve the renal function.