Abstract:Objective To compare the differences of surgical site infection (SSI) between laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) and open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for gastric cancer. Methods We set up strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the randomized controlled trials (RCT) on LDG and ODG for gastric cancer were collected. Meta-analysis was performed according to the recommendation by the Cochrane handbook. Results Six RCTs including 767 patients were analyzed, who were divided into LDG group (n = 394) and ODG group (n = 373). Postoperative wound infection and SSI were significantly lower in LDG than in ODG [RR = 0.32, 95 % CI (0.11, 0.91), P = 0.03; RR = 0.28, 95 % CI (0.12, 0.70), P = 0.006]. There was no significant difference in intra-abdominal abscess between the two groups [RR = 0.35, 95 % CI (0.09, 1.31), P = 0.12]. Conclusions LDG was associated with a lower incidence of SSI, especially wound infection, as compared with ODG in the meta-analysis.