Abstract:Objective: To systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of da Vinci robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: Literature on studies comparing da Vinci robotic gastrectomy and traditional laparoscopic gastrectomy was selected through searching several national and international databases. After data extraction, Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.2 software. Results: Seventeen studies were finally included in the analysis, involving 5 787 patients, of whom, 1 676 cases underwent da Vinci robotic gastrectomy and 4 111 cases underwent traditional laparoscopic gastrectomy. Results of Meta-analysis showed that da Vinci robotic gastrectomy compared with traditional laparoscopic gastrectomy, the operative time was prolonged (WMD=43.51, 95% CI=34.14–52.88, P<0.05), blood loss was reduced (WMD=–30.17, 95% CI=–42.83––17.51, P<0.05), number of harvested lymph nodes was increased (WMD=1.95, 95% CI=0.07-3.84, P<0.05) and time to first postoperative food intake shortened (WMD=–0.22, 95% CI=–0.32––0.12, P<0.05), while the other variables that included the proximal and distal margin, R0 resection rate, conversion rate, time to first postoperative gas passage, length of postoperative hospital stay, incidence of postoperative complications, mortality rate, and 3-year overall survival rate were all similar (all P>0.05). Conclusion: da Vinci robotic gastrectomy is safe and effective in treatment of gastric cancer, with better short- and long-term efficacy.