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Purpose/aim: Spleen preservation distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) can be achieved by either splenic vessel preservation distal pancreatectomy (SVP-DP) or Warshaw technique (WT). Although studies comparing SVP-DP with WT have been reported, controversies exist. The aim of our study is to assess and compare the safety and feasibility of SVP-DP and WT. Materials and methods: Two authors searched the online database independently till April 30, 2017. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. Short- and long-term outcomes of WT and SVP-DP were evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed on laparoscopic surgery. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI were estimated. Results: A total of 664 patients from 11 retrospective cohort studies were included. Meta-analysis showed the WT group had a significantly higher incidence of splenic infarction (OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.07–0.20; p < 0.00001) and gastric/epigastric varices (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05–0.24; p < 0.00001). And more patients suffering from splenic infarction from WT group needed further splenectomy (OR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02–0.84; p = 0.03). While there was no difference between the two procedures in terms of pancreatic fistula (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.25–1.19; p = 0.13), overall morbidity (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.59–1.30; p = 0.50) and hospital stay (MD = −0.45; 95% CI: −1.73-0.82; p = 0.49). Conclusions: Due to relatively higher risk of postoperative splenic infarction, gastric/epigastric varices and Clavien–Dindo III–V complications, WT is not as safe as SVP-DP. However, well-conducted randomized clinical trials are still needed due to the limitations of current studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]