Objective To explore the clinical therapeutic value of pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with carcinoma of ampulla of Vater (AVC). Methods The clinical data of 195 patients with AVC between March 1995 and March 2009 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided into non-surgery group (n＝51), palliative surgery group (n＝96), and resection group (n＝48) according to the treatment methods. Results The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates in the resection group were higher than those in the non-surgery group and the palliative surgery group (Plt;0.01). However, the incidence of complications in the resection group was higher than that in the nonsurgery group or the palliative surgery group (Plt;0.05). The radical resection rates, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates of carcinomas of head of pancreas were significantly lower than those of carcinomas of the terminal of common bile duct or carcinomas of duodenal papilla (Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01). There was no significant difference of the perioperative mortality, complications rate, 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year survival rate between preoperative drainage jaundice group and preoperative nondrainage jaundice group (Pgt;0.05). The perioperative mortality in the resection group above the age of 70 years old was higher than that of less than or equal to 70 years old （Plt;0.05）. Compared with the non-surgery group or palliative surgery group, there were significant increasement of the incidence of serious or deadly perioperative complications in the resection group (Plt;0.05). Conclusions Surgical resection remains one of the most important measures of the treatment of AVC, in particular, the radical pancreatoduodenectomy is the only effect way for AVC, thus significantly prolonging the patient’s postoperative survivals and significantly improving the qualities of life.