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.