Meta-analysis of transanal vs laparoscopic total mesorectal excision of low rectal cancer: Importance of appropriate patient selection

Figure 1 Study flow diagram.

Figure 2 Risk of bias summary and graph showing authors’ judgments about each risk of bias item.

Figure 3 Forest plots of comparison. A: Intraoperative complications; B: Postoperative complications; C: Anastomotic leak; D: R0 resection; E: Completeness of mesorectal excision; F: Number of harvested lymph nodes; G: Distal resection margin; H: Circumferential resection margin; I: Positive circumferential resection margin; J: Procedure time; K: Conversion to an open procedure. The solid squares denote the odds ratios or mean difference. The horizontal lines represent the 95% confidence intervals, and the diamond denotes the pooled effect size. M-H: Mantel Haenszel test.

Figure 4 Funnel plots of comparison. A: Postoperative complications; B: Anastomotic leak; C: Procedure time; D: Conversion to open procedure.