title: [Meta-analysis of selective defunctioning stoma in low anterior resection].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Whether selective defunctioning stoma could reduce the rate of anastomotic leak and lessen adverse effects in low anterior resection (LAR) remains controversial. This study was to evaluate the necessity of selective defunctioning stoma after LAR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline databases were searched and English-language articles regarding to selective defunctioning stoma in LAR published from January 1, 1990 to October 1, 2007 were acquired. Seven literatures from seven different studies were included in this study, with total enrollment of 5040 patient. The rate of anastomotic leakage and re-operation rate in different surgical procedures (with or without selective defunctioning stoma) were pooled to compare using meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selective defunctioning stoma did not significantly reduce the rate of anastomotic leakage after LAR. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was 0.68 (95%CI=0.45-1.02, P>0.05). Selective defunctioning stoma significantly reduced the rate of surgery-required anastomotic leakage following LAR. The pooled OR was 0.33(95% CI=0.25-0.44, P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although selective defunctioning stoma does not reduce the rate of anastomotic leakage, it reduces the rate of surgery-required anastomotic leakage.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China,Guangdong, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Pei-Rong
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Zhi-Zhong
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: De-Sen
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Yu-Jing
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xiao-Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-Ren
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhen-Hai
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D054047:Surgical Stomas / Q000009:adverse effects*