Evidence based medicine and surgical approaches for colon cancer: Evidences, benefits and limitations of the laparoscopic vs open resection

Figure 3 Non-randomized studies. A: Case-control studies comparing laparoscopy and open surgery. X in the table refers to a statistical association provided in the studies; B: Meta-analysis of the out-come measures; C: Forest plot graph regarding studies investigating hospital stay. ¹Statistic analysis not performed; ²Significant difference of follow-up according to the stage of the disease. Lap: Laparoscopy; OS: Open surgery; FU: Mean follow-up; OT: Operative time; BF: Bowel function; OI: Oral intake; PP: Post-operative Pain; BL: Blood loss; HOSP: Hospital stay; LNH: Lymph node harvest; NS: Not significant.