title: Comparison of the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic-assisted operations and open operations for Hirschsprung's disease: evidence from a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic-assisted operations compared with open operations, used for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pertinent studies were identified by searching of PubMed and Web of Science. We analyzed dichotomous variables by estimating odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI) and continuous variables using the weighted mean difference (WMD) with the 95% CI. The random effect model was used to combine the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine articles involving a total of 421 patients were included in this meta-analysis. For operation time of patients with HD, pooled data demonstrated a significantly shorter time in the laparoscopic operations group compared with open operations group (WMD = -0.27, 95% CI = -0.49, -0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was fewer in the laparoscopic operations group than open operations group (WMD = -1.05, 95% CI = -1.56, -0.54). The length of postoperative hospital was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic operations group. The number of complications was significantly lower in laparoscopic operations group than open operations group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggested that laparoscopic-assisted operation is generally safer and more reliable than open operation for patients with HD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tai'an City Central Hospital Tai'an 271000, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University Jinan 250021, China ; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tai'an City Central Hospital Tai'an 271000, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tai'an City Central Hospital Tai'an 271000, China.
authors.forename: Qinghao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Hirschsprung’s disease; Laparoscopic-assisted operations; meta-analysis; open operations