【Abstract】Objective To investigate the hybrid bioartificial liver（HBL）as a meaningful therapy to assess the patient with hepatic failure if can spontaneously recovery or transplantation.Methods 161 patients with liver failure were treated with plasma exchange(PE）、bilirubin specific adsorption（BSA)、hemoperfusion（HP）molecular adsorbent recycling system（MARS）、hybrid bioartificial liver（HBL）. The clinical signs and syptoms, total serum bilirubin (TBIL), ammonia, endotoxin and prothrombin activity (PTA),cholinesterase（CHE）were recorded or detected before, during and after treatment. Results 20 patients with hepatic coma improved in level of encephalopathy. All patients's PTA and CHE were increased significantly (P<0.01), while the serum TBIL and endotoxin were decreased (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). 33patients were bridged for spontaneous recovery and 1 patient bridged for OLT successfully, another 36 cases died cause of severe infection,gastroenterology hemorrhage and hepatorenal syndrome. Conclusion The HBL may be an effective method to treat patients with acute and sub-acute liver failure and an effective sign to assess wether the liver can recovery spontaneously. 