Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of abdominal indwelling catheterization for the patients with large-volume ascites. Methods A total of 84 patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with large-volume ascites admitted in the first affiliated hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, one was the puncture group and another was the catheterization group. The efficacy and safety were evaluated. Results Forty-four patients were enrolled in catheterization group, whereas forty patients were enrolled in puncture group. Symptoms associated with ascites had been eased and patients’ qualities of life had been improved in 2 weeks in each group. The tube fell out rate was 27.3% for patients in catheterization group. There was no operation related complications such as death, bleeding and intestinal perforation occurred. Either Child B stage or Child C stage, the dynamic changes of liver function and renal function in catheterization group were comparable to those in puncture group. No adverse event such as catheterization-related or puncture-related infection was observed. Conclusion Abdominal catheterization is effective and safe in management of large amount of ascites complicated with cirrhosis, however, the high rate of tube-fell-out should be paid more attention.