Meta-analysis of surgical quality-related factors associated with local recurrence rate after rectal cancer surgery

Figure 4 Forest plot of circumferential resection margin status and local recurrence with meta-regression analysis. The forest plot demonstrates a strong association between positive circumferential resection margin and local recurrence (odds ratio = 4.28) across ten studies. Meta-regression further revealed that each 10-case annual increase in surgeon volume was independently associated with a 15% relative reduction in local recurrence risk (P = 0.008). 95%CI: 95% confidence interval.