Elective Open versus Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy for Diverticular Disease: A Meta-Analysis with the Sigma Trial

Background A meta-analysis of published literature comparing open versus laparoscopic elective sigmoid resections for diverticular disease was conducted. Methods Electronic databases were searched for data from January 1991 to March 2009. A systematic review was performed to obtain a summative outcome. Results Twenty-two comparative studies involving 10,898 patients were analyzed; 1538 patients were in the laparoscopic group and 9360 were in the open group. The operative time for laparoscopic sigmoid resection (LSR) is longer than open resections (OSR) [random-effects model: SMD = 1.94, 95% CI = (1.14, 2.74), z = 4.74, p