Review Article

Does Preoperative Radio(chemo)therapy Increase Anastomotic Leakage in Rectal Cancer Surgery? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 1

Baseline characteristics of studies included in the systematic review.

StudyCountry Study periodNumber of patients  Treatment scheduleAnastomotic leak
R(C)T+R(C)T−R(C)T+R(C)T−R(C)T+R(C)T−

Cedermark et al., 1995 [18]Sweden1980–198715215325 Gy, 5 fraction + SS1015
MRCRCWP, 1996 [19]England1981–1989383840 Gy, 20 fraction + SS910
Sebag-Montefiore et al., 2009 [20]Canada1998–200538340925 Gy, 5 fraction + SS + CT3226
Sauer et al., 2003 [21]Germany1995–200232134250.4 Gy, 28 fraction + 5-FU + SS + CT3941
Park et al., 2011 [22]Korea2004–2006848146 Gy, 23 fraction + CAP + SS + CT45
Marijnen et al., 2002 [23]Netherlands1996–199943946525 Gy, 5 fraction + SS2331
SRCT [24], 1993Sweden1987–199024322725.5 Gy, 5 fraction + SS2617

RT = radiotherapy; CT = chemotherapy; S = surgery; 5-FU = 5-fluorouracil; Capecitabine = CAP.