Background The potential advantages of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) compared with open gastrectomy (OG) for Siewert type II/III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) have not been fully clarified. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LG for Siewert type II/III AEG, compared with OG. Methods A comprehensive search was performed in various medical databases up to December 30, 2018. Seven non-randomized controlled trials comparing LG and OG for Siewert type II/III AEG were included. Outcomes evaluated including operation time, estimated blood loss, number of retrieved lymph nodes (LNs), post-operation complications, postoperative hospital stay, time to first flatus, time to ambulation, and overall survival (OS). Results Seven studies of 1915 patients were included for meta-analysis. The estimated blood loss [weighted mean difference (WMD) = − 77.49, 95%CI − 111.84 to − 43.15; P < 0.00001] was significantly less and the postoperative hospital stay (WMD = − 1.98, 95%CI − 2.14 to − 1.83; P < 0.00001) was significantly shorter in the LG group than in the OG group, while the operation time, number of retrieved LNs, time to first flatus, and time to ambulation showed no significant difference between LG and OG groups. The overall postoperative complications [odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95%CI 0.60-1.02; P = 0.07] in LG group were less than those in OG group, although the difference was not significant between the two groups. ConclusionLG can achieve short-term surgical outcomes comparable to OG, with respect to safety and efficiency in treatment of Siewert type II/III AEG.