OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (laparoscopic TME) versus open total mesorectal excision (open TME) in the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer using meta-analysis.

METHODFrom 1991 to 2012, the Chinese and English articles of randomized controlled trails (RTCs) about laparoscopic TME versus open TME in the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer were collected, and a meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.1 software.

RESULTSEight RCTs including 863 patients with middle and low rectal cancer (428 cases in laparoscopic TME group, 435 cases in open TME group) were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Laparoscopic TME was associated with significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P<0.01), earlier to pass first flatus (P<0.01), shorter hospital stay (P<0.05), less postoperative incision infections (P<0.01) and postoperative bleeding (P<0.05) compared to open TME. There were no significant differences between laparoscopic TME and open TME groups in operative time, number of resected lymph nodes, anastomotic leak, ileus and pelvic abscess (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAs compared to open TME, laparoscopic TME has similar efficacy in terms of lymph nodes harvest, and it can promote postoperative recovery, and reduce incision infection and postoperative bleeding.