Role of protective stoma in low anterior resection for rectal cancer: A meta-analysis

Figure 1 Flow chart of study selection.

Figure 2 Forest plot. A: Forest plot for a comparison of the study outcomes of low anterior resection with or without stoma vs anastomotic leakage; B: Forest plot of the study outcomes of low anterior resection with or without stoma vs reoperation rate. Risk ratios are shown with 95%CIs.

Figure 3 Funnel plot. A: Funnel plot for the publication bias test of outcomes of low anterior resection with or without stoma vs anastomotic leakage; B: Funnel plot for the publication bias test regarding outcomes of low anterior resection with or without stoma vs reoperation rate. RR: Risk ratio.