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

Table 6 Results of subgroup analysis of studies - length of hospital stay

Study characteristics	Number of studies	Number of patients	OR (95%CI)	I2, %	P value
Total	20	3726	-1.17 (-1.78, -0.57)	95	0.00002
Study design
RCT	4	547	-0.34 (-1.23, 0.54)	85	0.10
CCS	16	3179	-1.35 (-2.17, -0.53)	96
Reinforced anastomosis method
Trans-anal reinforcing	5	410	-1.19 (-4.09, 1.72)	97	0.91
Laparoscopic reinforcing	15	3316	-1.02 (-1.55, -0.49)	93
Reinforcing suture
Interrupted suture	6	959	-1.37 (-4.03, 1.28)	96	0.64
Continuous suture	13	2473	-0.73 (-1.22, -0.24)	92
Prophylactic ileostomy
Yes	3	452	-0.69 (-2.27, 0.88)	81	0.50
No	17	3274	-1.29 (-1.99, -0.59)	97

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