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

Figure 1 Flow diagram of the literature search.

Figure 2 Quality assessment of the included articles according to the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. A: Risk of bias graph; B: Risk of bias summary.

Figure 3 Primary outcome and secondary outcomes. A: Anastomotic leakage (primary outcome); B: Length of the operation; C: Intraoperative blood loss; D: Length of hospital stay; E: Anal exhaust time; F: Anastomotic bleeding; G: Anastomotic stricture; H: Intestinal obstruction; I: Infection; J: Reoperation. CI: Confidence interval.

Figure 4 Comparison of grade C leakage rate. CI: Confidence interval.

Figure 5 Funnel plot for publication bias basing on anastomotic leakage in included studies. OR: Odds ratio.