5 Conclusion
In conclusion, the SC technique significantly reduced the operative time needed for TL. In addition, we also observed a lower incidence of PCF and hospital stay after SC in all patients even though there were more irradiated and tracheostomized patients in the SC group. We found similar surgical site infection rates between the SC and MC groups. The presented meta-analysis provides current evidence for the use of SC in laryngeal cancer patients undergoing TL. The surgical stapler has the potential to be a useful tool in the pharyngeal closure step during TL.