Genitourinary function and defecation after colorectal cancer surgery with low- and high-ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery: A meta-analysis

Figure 1 Flow diagram of literature search.

Figure 2 Summary of methodologic quality assessment. A: Risk of bias summary; B: Risk of bias graph.

Figure 3 Forest plots for various function parameters with low ligation and high ligation. A: Urinary dysfunction; B: Urinary retention; C: Urinary infection; D: Genitourinary dysfunction; E: Nocturnal bowel movement; F: Need for antidiarrheal or laxative drugs; G: Wexner’s incontinence score; H: Anastomotic stenosis; I: Anastomotic leakage; J: Postoperative complications; K: Mortality; L: Operative time.

Figure 4 Forest plots for intraoperative indexes of low ligation and high ligation. A: Blood loss; B: Total lymph nodes harvested.

Figure 5 Forest plot for tumor recurrence following low ligation and high ligation.

Figure 6 Forest plots for 5-year overall survival following low ligation and high ligation. A: 5-year overall survival; B: 5-year disease-free survival.