Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic-assisted operations compared with open operations, used for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD).
Methods: Pertinent studies were identified by searching of PubMed and Web of Science. We analyzed dichotomous variables by estimating odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI) and continuous variables using the weighted mean difference (WMD) with the 95% CI. The random effect model was used to combine the results.
Results: Nine articles involving a total of 421 patients were included in this meta-analysis. For operation time of patients with HD, pooled data demonstrated a significantly shorter time in the laparoscopic operations group compared with open operations group (WMD = -0.27, 95% CI = -0.49, -0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was fewer in the laparoscopic operations group than open operations group (WMD = -1.05, 95% CI = -1.56, -0.54). The length of postoperative hospital was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic operations group. The number of complications was significantly lower in laparoscopic operations group than open operations group.
Conclusions: Our results suggested that laparoscopic-assisted operation is generally safer and more reliable than open operation for patients with HD.
Keywords: Hirschsprung’s disease; Laparoscopic-assisted operations; meta-analysis; open operations.