Objective Total laryngectomy (TL) is a life‐saving procedure for individuals with advanced laryngeal cancer and those suffering from recurrence after initial treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate the differences between stapler closure (SC) and manual closure (MC) of the pharynx during TL for patients with laryngeal cancer. Design/Setting A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. The data were analysed using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software (Version 3; Biostat). Dichotomous data were calculated as odds ratios (ORs), and continuous data were calculated as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main Outcome/Results A total of seven studies (535 patients) were included in this meta‐analysis. Pooled analysis showed that the operative time of TL was significantly reduced in the SC group (MD, −63.2; 95% CI, −106.0 to −20.4). Moreover, the SC group had a lower incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula (OR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.83; P = .016) and hospital stay (MD, −2.9; 95% CI, −5.6 to −0.1). The incidence of postoperative surgical site infection (OR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.02 to 8.73; P = .565) was comparable between the two groups. Conclusion Based on these results, SC may be a useful option for patients who need TL.