Is recovery enhancement after gastric cancer surgery really a safe approach for elderly patients?

Table 2 Summary of characteristics between the enhanced recovery after surgery group and the conventional group

Characteristics	Studies	Participants (ERAS/conventional)	Odds ratio/mean difference (95%CI)	Heterogeneity
Age (yr)	5	264/263	0.06 (-0.18, 0.30); P = 0.65	I2 = 46.03%; P = 0.12
Sex, female	6	512/366	0.95 (0.71, 1.26); P = 0.71	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.63
BMI (kg/m2)	5	264/263	-0.05 (-0.22, 0.12); P = 0.54	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.45
Smoking	2	333/189	1.00 (0.69, 1.44); P = 0.98	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.62
ASA, ≥2	4	222/221	1.03 (0.64, 1.64); P = 0.92	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.58
TNM stage
I	6	Reference	Reference	Reference
II	6	263/215	1.03 (0.69, 1.54); P = 0.88	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.81
III	6	399/293	0.89 (0.64, 1.23); P = 0.47	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.46
Type of surgery
Total	3	Reference	Reference	Reference
Distal	3	122/126	1.28 (0.74, 2.22); P = 0.38	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.97
Proximal	3	69/72	1.36 (0.62, 2.98); P = 0.44	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.38
Type of reconstruction
Roux-en-Y	2	Reference	Reference	Reference
Billroth-I	2	56/58	1.25 (0.59, 2.67); P = 0.56	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.40
Billroth-II	2	78/80	1.17 (0.62, 2.22); P = 0.63	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.92
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy	2	271/124	2.74 (1.64, 4.57); P = 0.00*	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.45
Comorbidities
Cardiovascular system disease	4	462/316	1.00 (0.72, 1.39); P = 1.00	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.86
Respiratory system diseases	4	462/316	1.04 (0.62, 1.73); P = 0.89	I2 = 15.67%; P = 0.31
Renal system diseases	2	333/189	0.92 (0.47, 1.82); P = 0.82	I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.57
Diabetes	4	462/316	0.73 (0.48, 1.12); P = 0.15	I2 = 12.29%; P = 0.34

ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; TMN: Tumor Node Metastasis; 95%CI: 95% confidence intervals; ERAS: Enhanced recovery after surgery.