ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of tension suture on healing quality of incision after abdominal surgery, and to provide a theoretical basis for reducing post-operative wound complications. MethodLiteratures on the tension suture in the application of abdominal incision were searched from January 2005 to January 2015, and then a Meta-analysis was carried out based on the data obtained from CBM, CNKI, and WanFang database. ResultsEight articles involving 2 001 patients with abdominal surgery, including 1 044 cases in tension suture group, and 957 cases in the conventional suture group, were incorporated. The Meta analysis results showed that, the technique of tension suture could reduce the incidence of post-operative wound infection (OR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.28-0.57, P<0.05), fat liquefaction (OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.37-0.69, P<0.05), incisional hernia (OR=0.11, 95% CI: 0.04-0.34, P<0.05), wound dehiscence (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.07-0.25, P<0.05), and second stage surgery (OR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.09-0.30, P<0.05). But, it would also augment the risk of post-operative skin incision necrosis (OR=15.14, 95% CI: 2.79-82.08, P<0.05). On the other hand, the method of tension suture had no effect on the subcutaneous hemorrhage in the incision area (OR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.30-1.13, P>0.05). ConclusionsCompared with conventional suture, tension suture can reduce the hazard of wound infection, fat liquefaction, incisional hernia, wound dehiscence, and reoperation after abdominal surgery. In contrast, it can also increase the risk of post-operative skin incision necrosis.