ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety in the treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction between gastrojejunostomy (GJ) and self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement.MethodsThe relevant literatures of efficacy and safety of GJ and SEMS placement in the treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction were searched in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trial, VIP, CNKI, Wanfang Data databases. The data were extracted and evaluated by the RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 12 articles with 1 505 patients were included, of which 620 underwent the GJ (GJ group) and 885 underwent the SEMS placement (SEMS group); 3 RCTs, 9 non-RCTs. The meta-analysis results showed: the length of hospital stay [MD=5.83, 95%CI (4.24, 7.42), P<0.000 01] and time of postoperative recovery diet [MD=3.41, 95%CI (1.79, 5.03), P<0.000 1] of the SEMS group were significantly shorter than those of the GJ group; Although the incidence of complications of the GJ group was significantly higher than that of the SEMS group [OR=1.85, 95%CI (1.27, 2.70), P=0.001], the technical success rate [OR=2.72, 95%CI (1.13, 6.53), P=0.03] and clinical success rate [OR=1.86, 95%CI (1.35, 2.57), P=0.000 2] were higher and the survival time was longer [MD=38.31, 95%CI (28.98, 47.64), P<0.000 01] of the GJ group as compared with the SEMS group.ConclusionsSEMS placement is more effective in recovering dietary capacity, length of hospital stay, and incidence of complications, while GJ is more effective in survival time, technical success rate, and clinical success rate. In clinical practice, we could choose different surgical method according to patient situation.