Is irreversible electroporation (IRE) an effective and safe ablation method for local advanced pancreatic cancer: A meta-analysis

•Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst prognosis malignant tumors of the digestive system, which is characterized by a low rate of early diagnosis and poor curative efficacy.•Even after radical resection of pancreatic cancer, the 5-year survival rate of patients only reaches 1525% [1,2].•In 2020, the World Health Organization announced 495,773 new cases of pancreatic cancer worldwide, accounting for 0.55% of all malignant tumors, ranking 12th.•In the same year, there were 466,003 deaths, accounting for 0.51% of all malignant tumor deaths, ranking 7th.•The five-year net survival rate worldwide was only 7.9314.3% [3]. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) for treating local advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Relevant literature published from January 1, 2010, to July 1, 2021, was retrieved from PubMed and EMBASE databases. The following keywords were applied: " IRE, "Irreversible electrophoresis, "pancreatic cancer, "ablation, "and " ablation therapy. "The primary outcomes was IRE related significant complications rate. 19 studies were included, a total of 984 patients had undergone IRE. The probability of IRE-related major (Grade 3–5) complications rate was 17% (95% CI: 10–28%). 2 deaths related to IRE procedure were reported. The median overall survival time since IRE ranged from 6.1 to 27 months. Patients treated with IRE combined with surgical resection or standard chemotherapy showed a longer overall survival. IRE can benefit the survival of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but related adverse events should be treated with caution.