Abstract:Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) and conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) for colonic polyps.Methods We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM and Wanfang database in recent 5 years (from January 2016 to January 2021) studies comparing UEMR with CEMR for treatment of colonic polyps. Review Manager 5.3.5 software was used to carry out Meta-analysis on the en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, recurrence rate, overall incidence of adverse events, hemorrhage during operation, delayed bleeding and perforation of the two surgical methods.Results 10 studies were included, involving 1 954 patients and 2 351 polyps, including 1 151 in the UEMR group and 1 200 in the CEMR group. Meta-analysis showed that compared with CEMR, UEMR had a higher en bloc resection rate (RR^ = 1.10, P = 0.000), a higher R0 resection rate (RR^ = 1.36, P = 0.000), and a shorter operative time (MD = -8.06, P = 0.030) and lower recurrence rate (RR^ = 0.45, P = 0.000). The overall incidence of adverse events rate (RR^ = 0.69, P = 0.020) and the hemorrhage during operation rate (RR^ = 0.58, P = 0.003) in the UEMR group were lower than those in the CEMR group. There were no statistical difference in the incidence of delayed bleeding and perforation between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion In this Meta-analysis, we found that UEMR is a safe and effective alternative to CEMR and worthy of clinical application.