Comparison of outcome and side effects between conventional and transvaginal laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis.

Transvaginal laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TVC) is becoming an attractive alternative to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). We conducted a meta-analysis study to compare the outcome and side effects between TVC and CLC. Clinical studies on TVC with CLC as control were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE (from 2007 to December 2013). Nine studies were identified for meta-analysis. Our results showed that TVC required much longer operative time [MD, 30.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 13.00-48.65; P = 0.0007] and had significantly lower pain score on postoperative day 1 as compared with CLC (MD, -1.77; 95% CI, -2.91 to -0.63; P = 0.002). No statistical difference in days of hospital stay (MD, -1.60; 95% CI, -4.73 to 1.54; P = 0.32) and number of complications was found between the 2 groups (risk ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.25-1.10; P = 0.09). Safety of TVC is similar as CLC. In conclusion, TVC patients have significantly less postoperative pain but need much longer operative time.