Statistical Methods and Synthesis of Results
A meta-analysis of aggregate data was performed to generate a pooled
estimate using outcomes of individual studies reported in the published
literature. The data were analyzed using STATA software. Dichotomous
outcomes from each study were expressed as percentage of complications,
with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity between studies was
reported with the I2 statistic. A “hybrid”
Mantel–Haenszel random-effects model with inverse-variance weighting
was used in meta-analyses if any heterogeneity was detected, whereas a
fixed effect model was used if no heterogeneity was identified. A value
of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.