Objective To summarize clinical application status of auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation. Methods Reviewed relevant literatures and made a summary. Indications, contraindications, surgical treatment, therapeutic efficacy, and existing problems of auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation were summed up. Results Main indication of auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation is fulminant liver failure, and with no absolute contraindications. Partial liver transplantation is more popular. The therapeutic efficacy of auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation is confirmed, but there are still some problems needed to be solved. Conclusion Auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation is an effective method and replacement therapy for acute and chronic liver failure.