Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of hemofiltration (HF) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods The data of 60 patients with SAP was retrospectively reviewed in terms of life vital signs, biochemical indexes and prognosis within 96 h. 30 cases (the average APACHE Ⅱ score was 16.64 ±4.21 ) underwent HF on the basis of traditional treatment while another 30 cases ( the average APACHE Ⅱ score was 15.05 ± 3.78) were treated traditionally. Results From the beginning to 96 h after treatment, vital signs and the biochemical indexes such as body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, blood electrolytes, blood pressure, liver function and renal function were improved more obviously in patients who received HF treatment than those who only received traditional treatment. The hospitalization time was positively correlated with the disease onset time. Patients receiving HF treatment need shorter hospitalization time than patients receiving conventional treatment. There was no significant difference in terms of mortality rate between HF treatment group and conventional treatment group ( 16. 7% and 30% respectively). Conclusions HF treatment can improve some biochemical indexes and symptoms in SAP patients. For example, body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate,blood electrolytes, liver function, kidney function, lung function, abdominal pain and abdominal distension. It can shorten hospitalization time. However, HF has no significant effect on mortality rate.