Process for the complete conversion of heavy oils into distillates, such as the vacuum residues of heavy crude oils, characterized by the simultaneous use of two separate modes of extraction of the conversion products. Alongside the current mode of recovery of the conversion products, based on the treatment of the effluent of the top zone of the reaction, a second mode is added, based on the direct extraction of liquid from the reaction zone, degassing such liquid at the same pressure as the reactor and subjecting it to vacuum extraction. The vacuum residue is recycled in the reaction. The double mode of extraction allows greatly increasing the capacity of the reactor.