Objective：To evaluate the efficacy of statins for preventing gallstone formation and reducing the risk of cholecystectomy. Methods：PubMed，EMBASE，Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials，CBM and VIP library were searched for all studies relat－ing to statins in the prevention of gallstone formation and reduction of cholecystectomy risk. Meta analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.0 software and Stata11.0 software. Results：Fourteen studies were in enrolled including 5 RCTs，3 self pre-and post-control ob－servations，4 case-control studies，2 cohort studies with a total of 811 393 people（65 605 patients and 745 788 controls）. The result of RCTs and self-control studies showed that there were significantly statistical differences between statin group and control group in lowing biliary cholesterol concentration（SMD=0.41，95％CI＝0.08-0.73，P=0.009）. The cholesterol saturation index（CSI）（SMD=0.53，95％CI＝0.22-0.84，P=0.00１） in the statin group was significant lower than that in the control group. The Meta analysis results of case-control and cohort studies showed that there were statistical differences in reducing cholecystectomy risk among different exposure duration of statins（1-2 years：OR=0.89，95％CI＝0.84-0.94）；>2 years：OR=0.79，95％CI＝0.67-0.94）；<1 year：OR=1.13，95％CI＝1.04-1.22）. Conclusion：Statin can reduce the biliary cholesterol concentration and bile CSI and may have certain effect on inhibit－ing the formation of gallstones. The exposure duration of statins more than one year exerts effect on lowering the risk of gallstone dis－eases after cholecystectomy.