Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic resection for gastric stromal tumors. Methods The Literature published before November of 2010 was searched in PubMed, EMbase, Wiley Online Library, MEDLINE, CNKI, VIP, and CBM to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs about laparoscopic versus open resection for gastric stromal tumors. The literature was screened according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria by two reviewers independently, and the methodology quality was evaluated after abstracting the data, then the RevMan 5.0 software was used for Meta-analyses. Results Four quasi-RCTs and eight CCTs involving 496 patients were included. The results of Meta-analyses showed that, compared with the open resection surgery, the laparoscopic resection surgery significantly reduced the hospitalization duration (MD= –2.81, 95%CI –4.51 to –1.11), and the incidence of recurrence and metastasis (OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.13 to 1.01). No significant differences were found between the two groups in operation time, amount of bleeding, postoperative first flatus and oral intake, and total complication rate (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopic resection surgery is safe to treat the patients with gastric stromal tumors, which may reduce the hospitalization duration and the incidence of recurrence and metastasis. Due to the poor quality and small sample size of included trials, more well-designed RCTs should be performed.