Objective To investigate the efficiency of combining traditional Chinese medicine with western medicine in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods The clinical results of sixty three cases of SAP of non-operative treatment with injection of Salia miltorrhizae composita, and oral or gastric tube feeding of decoction Qing-Yi-Tang were retrospectively studied. Results Thirty four cases were categorised as SAP Ⅰ grade, and 29 cases as SAP Ⅱ grade. A variety of complications occurred in 19 cases (30.16%), 3 patients died (4.76%), and 4 patients developing abscess of pancreas (6.35%) which had to be operated on.Conclusion The individualization principle on the basis of cause and clinical stage of the disease should be stressed in treating SAP. The patients who had complication needing to be operated on should be timely performed. There is a good efficiency in the treatment of SAP with the traditional Chinese medicine combining with western medicine.