ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy compression anastomosis clip (Ni-Ti CAC) for gastrointestinal anastomosis. MethodsThe Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Knowledge and CBM databases were searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the efficacy and safety of Ni-Ti CAC versus surgical stapler for gastrointestinal anastomosis. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2. ResultsEight RCTs involving 457 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the surgical stapler group, the Ni-Ti CAC group was superior in operation time (MD=-8.30, 95%CI-15.58 to-1.02, P=0.03), food intake (MD=-0.37, 95%CI-0.70 to-0.03, P=0.03), bowel movement (MD=-1.13, 95%CI-1.67 to-0.59, P < 0.000 1), passing gas time (MD=-0.30, 95%CI-0.55 to-0.06, P=0.01), and length of hospital stay (MD=-1.04, 95%CI-1.35 to-0.74, P < 0.000 01), with significant differences. No significant difference was found in anastomosis time (MD=-1.84, 95%CI-3.91 to 0.22, P=0.08). As for safety, no significant difference was found in anastomosis-related complications between both groups. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that Ni-Ti CAC achieves better efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal anastomosis compared with surgical stapler.