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

Table 7 Results of subgroup analysis of studies - anal exhaust time

Study characteristics	Number of studies	Number of patients	OR (95%CI)	I2, %	P value
Total	20	3726	-0.13 (-0.22, -0.05)	91	0.002
Study design
RCT	4	547	-0.12 (-0.38, 0.13)	86	0.90
CCS	16	3179	-0.14 (-0.25, -0.03)	90
Reinforced anastomosis method
Trans-anal reinforcing	5	410	0.05 (-0.02, 0.13)	25	< 0.0001
Laparoscopic reinforcing	15	3316	-0.20 (-0.29, -0.11)	88
Reinforcing suture
Interrupted suture	6	959	-0.26 (-0.51, -0.01)	49	0.24
Continuous suture	13	2473	-0.10 (-0.19, 0.00)	94
Prophylactic ileostomy
Yes	3	452	-0.01 (-0.12, 0.09)	0	0.05
No	17	3274	-0.15 (-0.25, -0.06)	93

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