Efficacy of reinforcing sutures in preventing anastomotic leakage after surgery for rectal cancer: A systematic review and metaanalysis

Table 4 Results of subgroup analysis of studies - length of the operation

Study characteristics	Number of studies	Number of patients	OR (95%CI)	I2, %	P value
Total	20	3726	15.25 (10.71, 19.80)	97	< 0.00001
Study design
RCT	4	547	21.59 (12.37, 30.80)	97	0.13
CCS	16	3179	13.02 (6.76, 19.28)	98
Reinforced anastomosis method
Trans-anal reinforcing	5	410	12.01 (5.20, 18.82)	97	0.25
Laparoscopic reinforcing	15	3316	17.30 (11.25, 23.35)	96
Reinforcing suture
Interrupted suture	6	959	2.58 (-7.02, 12.17)	28	0.006
Continuous suture	13	2473	17.87 (12.88, 22.86)	98
Prophylactic ileostomy
Yes	3	452	1.95 (-8.84, 12.74)	42	0.008
No	17	3274	17.69 (13.23, 22.14)	97

OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval; RCT: Randomized controlled trial; CCS: Case-control study.