Meta-Analysis
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World J Meta-Anal. Aug 26, 2014; 2(3): 98-106
Published online Aug 26, 2014. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v2.i3.98
Robot-assisted vs laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A meta-analysis based on 3518 subjects
Zhi-Dong Lin, Mao Liu, Dan Tang, Huan Li, Bai-Meng Zhang
Zhi-Dong Lin, Dan Tang, Bai-Meng Zhang, Department of General Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
Mao Liu, Department of Cardiology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
Huan Li, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Lin ZD and Liu M contributed equally to this work; Lin ZD, Tang D and Zhang BM designed the research; Tang D, Li H and Liu M performed the research; Lin ZD and Liu M contributed analytic tools and analyzed the data; Lin ZD, Tang D, Liu M and Zhang BM wrote the paper; Lin ZD and Liu M contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Zhi-Dong Lin, Department of General Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No.52 Meihua East Rd, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China. linzhidongtd@21cn.com
Telephone: +86-756-2528811 Fax: +86-756-2528333
Received: January 8, 2014
Revised: May 16, 2014
Accepted: June 10, 2014
Published online: August 26, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: A total of 13 studies with 3518 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that robot-assisted gastrectomy was associated with longer operative time (WMD = 46.26 min, 95%CI: 31.89, 60.63, P < 0.00001), less blood loss [WMD = -37.19 mL, 95%CI: -60.16-(-14.23), P = 0.002] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [WMD = -0.65 d, 95%CI: -1.24-(-0.05), P = 0.03] than laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy. Robot-assisted gastrectomy is effective and safe in the treatment of gastric cancer and will be a promising alternative to laparoscopic surgery. Long-term randomized controlled studies with large scale and improved designs are needed to further evaluate the long-term outcomes.