AIM: To estimate the effectiveness of phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation combined with transpupillary silicone oil removal. METHODS: There were 168 eyes of 168 candidate patients with cataract and silicone oil-filled eyes recruited in our study. All of the patients received the intraocular silicone oil removal surgery by transpupillary drainage and cataract extraction by phacoemulsi?cation. Then the IOL implantation were also performed through corneal incision. RESULTS: The surgery was successfully completed in all eyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and postoperative complications were recorded in three months after surgery. There were 143 eyes with BCVA improved, otherwise 25 eyes remained stable at the last follow-up visit. The mean BCVA statistically improved from 20/400±0.02 to 20/100±0.15 (P<0.001) and mean postoperative IOP was 13.85±2.18 mm Hg (P=0.415). No intra-operative complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsi?cation combined with transpupillary removal of silicone oil is a safe and simple effective method. In general, it enables quick recovery of visual acuity with less complication rate.