ObjectivesTo systematically review the safety of harmonic scalpel and conventional resection in superficial parotidectomy.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies of harmonic scalpel and conventional resection in superficial parotidectomy from the inception of the database to December, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literatures, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 10 studies involving 671 post-cesarean section patients (361 patients in harmonic scalpel group and 310 patients in conventional resection group) were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: compared with conventional resection, harmonic scalpel had shorter operative time (MD=−23.82, 95%CI −31.20 to −16.44, P<0.000 01), less postoperative drain output (MD=−26.25, 95%CI −38.95 to −13.55, P<0.000 1), less intraoperative blood loss (MD=−23.78, 95%CI −28.64 to −18.91, P<0.000 01), shorter duration of hospital stay (MD=−1.19, 95%CI −2.14 to −0.23, P=0.02), and lower temporary facial nerve palsy rate (OR=0.27, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.50, P<0.000 1). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of parotid gland leakage between two groups (OR=0.42, 95%CI 0.16 to 1.06, P=0.07).ConclusionsThe current evidence demonstrates that, compared to conventional resection, harmonic scalpel resection is safer. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.