Objective To evaluate the effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on life quality in maintenance hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods A total of 68 maintenance hemodialysis cases treated in this hospital during the period of 2004 to 2010 were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups: PTX for the refractory SHPT (PTX group, 33 cases), and non-PTX group (35 cases). Serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and intact PTH (iPTH) were determined in the PTX group before PTX and within one year after PTX and in the non-PTX group within one year. Patients’ life quality was evaluated using Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36 (SF-36) Scale, and the scores were analyzed and compared. Results (a) The preoperative serum Ca, P, ALP and iPTH were significantly higher in the PTX group than in the non-PTX group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.001). In the PTX group, serum Ca, P, ALP and iPTH after PTX for one year were significantly lower than those before PTX (P＜0.001). (b) In the PTX group before PTX, the SF-36 scale scores of physical health (PF) and bodily pain (BP) were significantly lower as compared with those in the non-PTX group (P＜0.01). After PTX for one year in the PTX group, the scores of PF, BP, emotional role function (RP) and mental health (MH) were significantly elevated, as compared with those before PTX (P＜0.001), and the scores of PF, RP and BP were also higher than those in the non-PTX group after one year (P＜0.05). Conclusion PTX is an effective measure to improve the life quality of maintenance hemodialysis patients with refractory SHPT.