title: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on laparoscopic gastrectomy vs. open gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and practicability of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) by comparing the short-term and long-term outcomes of LG and open gastrectomy (OG) for gastric cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  According to the criterion, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI (in Chinese), WANFANG DATA (in Chinese), and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register from January 2000 to January 2012. The RCTs were prepared in accordance with the quality of reporting of meta-analyses statement. Intraoperative and early postoperative parameters, as well as long-term tumor recurrence were analyzed. Random effect meta-analyses were performed using odds ratios (ORs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Up to 8 RCTs with 782 patients were enrolled in the present meta-analysis (402 patients underwent LG (LG group) and 380 underwent OG (OG group)). The LG group had shorter wound lengths, less blood loss, more rapid bowel function recovery: first flatus and first food intake, lower overall complication rate and shorter hospital stay, whereas the LG group had longer operation times and less harvested lymph nodes. The tumor recurrence between the two groups had no significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering its lower morbidity and enhanced postoperative recovery, LG is a safe technical alternative to OG for distal gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University school of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Junfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xianhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Suzhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome