Objective?To observe the efficacy of laparoscopic staging in early ovarian cancer (EOC) and evaluate its feasibility and safety. Methods?The outcomes of 42 patients with EOC who underwent laparoscopic (LPS group, n =19) or laparotomic surgical staging (LPT group, n =23) from May 2012 to August 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The parameters including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of resected lymph nodes, gastrointestinal recovery time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, chemotherapy and postoperative upstaging rate were compared between the two groups. Results?All operations completed successfully in two groups, and no intraoperative complications were observed. LPS group had less intraoperative blood loss (124.7 ± 63.5) vs (328.7 ± 155.5) ml, shorter gastrointestinal recovery time (1.5 ± 0.5) vs (2.7 ± 0.9) d and shorter hospital stay (8.9 ± 1.5) vs (14.3 ± 3.8) d when compared with LPT group (P <0.05). No significant difference was found in operation time, number of resected lymph nodes, postoperative complications, chemotherapy and postoperative upstaging rate between the two groups (P >0.05). A total of 42 patients were followed up for 7～46 months, with an average of 24.6 months. There was no significant difference in the recurrent and survival rate between the two groups (P >0.05). The disease-free survival and overall survival in LPS group is 94.7% and 94.7%, respectively. In LPT group is 91.3% and 100.0%. Conclusion?Laparoscopy and laparotomy had similar surgical staging adequacy and accuracy, whereas laparoscopy shows more favorable operative outcomes, such as less blood loss during the operation, minor trauma and more rapid recovery. Laparoscopic surgical staging is feasible and safe for EOC in a short term, and its long-term outcomes are to be further investigated.