Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect, the treatment time, and the incidence of side effect of artificial liver support system (ALSS) the treating severe hepatitis. Methods Two hundred and fifty-two patients with severe hepatitis were randomly divided into the treatment group (130 cases) and the control group (122 cases). Comprehensive liver-protecting therapy was given to all patients in two groups. Additionally, ALSS was given to the treatment group simultaneously. The therapeutic effects and side effects of ALSS in patients of different stages were observed. Results The general effective rate of the treatment group was 72.30%.And the effective rate for early, middle and late stage patients in the treatment group were 97.87%, 82.00%, and 30.30% respectively. The general effective rate for the control group was 52.46%. And the effective rate for early, middle and late stage patients in the control group were 69.64%, 53.66%, and 12.00% respectively. There was significant difference between these two groups in effective rates ( P < 0.001). Six hundred and seventy casetimes of ALSS was used in the treatment group. The side effects of ALSS occurred 62 case-times. And the incidence of side effects was 9.25%. Conclusion ALSS is an effective and safe way for the treatment of patients with severe hepatitis, especially for patients in early or middle stage.