ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the necessity of splenectomy in radical resection of gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve studies comparing outcomes after radical resection of gastric cancer with or without splenectomy were identified. Both fixed effect model and random effect model were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 2628 patients in total. There were significant differences in complications between splenectomy group and spleen-preserving group(OR=1.91, 95% CI:1.28-2.87, P<0.05), while no significant difference in 5-year survival rate was noticed(HR=0.90, 95% CI:0.73-1.11, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radical resection of gastric cancer combined with splenectomy is not associated with improved survival but increased postoperative complications.</p>