Autologous bone marrow stem cell (ABMSC) transplantation in patients with liver failure has been utilizing in clinical practice, but the therapeutic effect remains to be defined. A meta-analysis is essential to assess clinical advantages of ABMSC transplantation for patients with liver failure. A systematic search of published works (e.g. Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, PubMed and Chin J Clinicians (Electronic edition)) was conducted to compare clinical outcomes of ABMSC transplantation in patients with liver failure. Meta-analytic results were tested using either fixed-effects model or random-effects model. Seven studies and a total of 534 patients were eligible for final meta-analysis. Subsequent to ABMSCtransplantation, there was no significant improvement in general symptom and sign such as loss of appetite, fatigue and ascites. Activities of serum ALT were not significantly decreased with weighted mean difference (WMD) of -19.36 and 95% confidence interval (CI) -57.53 to 18.80 (P = 0.32). Postoperative level of albumin (ALB) was expectedly enhanced by stem cell transplantation (WMD 2.97, 95% CI 0.52 to 5.43, P < 0.05, I2 = 84%). Coagulation function was improved as demonstrated by a short prothrombin time (PT) (WMD -1.18, 95% CI -2.32 to -0.03, P < 0.05, I2 = 6%), but was not reflected by prothrombin activity (PTA) (P = 0.39). Total bilirubin (TBIL) was drastically diminished after ABMSC therapy (WMD -14.85, 95% CI -20.39 to -9.32, P < 0.01, I2 = 73%). Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were dramatically improved (WMD -2.27, 95% CI -3.53 to -1.02, P < 0.01, I2 = 0%). The advantage of ABMSC transplantation could be maintained more than 24 weeks as displayed by time-courses of ALB, TBIL and MELD score. ABMSC transplantation does provide beneficial effects for patients with liver failure. Therapeutic effects can last for six months. However, long-term effects need to be determined.