OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation on functional recovery of rats with complete spinal cord transection. DATA SOURCES:A computer-based online search of Medline (1989-2013), Embase (1989-2013), Cochrane library (1989-2013), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (1989-2013), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1989-2013), VIP (1989-2013), Wanfang databases (1989-2013) and Chinese Clinical Trial Register was conducted to collect randomized controlled trial data regarding olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for the treatment of complete spinal cord transection in rats. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials investigating olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation and other transplantation methods for promoting neurological functional recov-ery of rats with complete spinal cord transection were included in the analysis. Meta analysis was conducted using RevMan 4.2.2 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores of rats with complete spinal cord transection were evaluated in this study. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials with high quality methodology were included. Meta analysis showed that Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores were signiifcantly higher in the olfacto-ry ensheathing cell transplantation group compared with the control group (WMD= 3.16, 95%CI (1.68, 4.65);P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION:Experimental studies have shown that olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation can promote the functional recovery of motor nerves in rats with complete spinal cord transection.