BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the impact of surgery on outcomes in patients with recurrent biliary tract cancer (BTC) and elucidate factors affecting survival after surgery for this disease. METHODS: A single-center study was undertaken in 178 patients with recurrent BTC, of whom 24 underwent surgery for recurrence, 85 received chemotherapy, and 69 received best supportive care. Then, we carried out a multicenter study in 52 patients undergoing surgery for recurrent BTC (gallbladder cancer, 39%; distal cholangiocarcinoma, 27%; perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, 21%; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 13%). RESULTS: In the single-center study, 3-year survival after recurrence was 53% in patients who underwent surgery, 4% in those who received chemotherapy, and 0% in those who received best supportive care (p < 0.001). Surgery was an independently prognostic factor (p < 0.001). In the multicenter series, the respective 3-year and 5-year survival after surgery for recurrence was 50% and 29% in the 52 patients. Initial site of recurrence was the only independent prognostic factor (p = 0.019). Five-year survival after surgery for recurrence in patients with single distant, multifocal distant, and locoregional recurrence was 51%, 0%, and 0%, respectively (p = 0.002). Sites of single distant recurrence included the liver (n = 13, 54%), distant lymph nodes (all from gallbladder cancer, n = 7, 29%), lung (n = 2, 9%), peritoneum (n = 1, 4%), and abdominal wall (n = 1, 4%). CONCLUSION: Surgery may be an effective option for patients with less aggressive tumor biology characterized by single distant recurrence in recurrent BTC.