Table 3 The results of the meta-analysis

Infections

 Any infection

11

840

0.75

0

Fixed

1.67 [0.55, 5.11]

 Superficial infection

4

275

0.59

0

Fixed

1.53 [0.30, 7.86]

 Deep infection

3

256

0.82

0

Fixed

4.00 [0.45, 35.28]

Blood loss

 Total blood loss

3

178

<0.01

90

Random

−162.93 [−407.58, 81.72]

 Hidden blood loss

2

118

<0.01

93

Random

−46.73 [−286.55, 193.08]

Number of transfusion

6

385

0.14

43

Fixed

0.53 [0.40, 0.69]

Volume of transfusion

2

149

0.34

0

Fixed

−180.30 [−268.32, −92.28]

Wound prolonged oozing

5

472

0.20

35

Fixed

2.31 [1.14, 4.68]

Soft tissue ecchymosis

5

432

<0.01

82

Random

2.23 [1.02, 4.88]

Operative time

2

118

0.30

8

Fixed

1.71 [−6.83, 10.25]

Wound haematoma

2

132

0.82

0

Fixed

0.45 [0.11, 1.84]

Deep venous thrombosis

6

474

0.31

5

Fixed

0.67 [0.25, 1.83]

VAS score

 postoperative day 1

2

98

0.34

0

Fixed

0.01 [−0.40, 0.41]

 postoperative day 7

2

140

0.89

0

Fixed

0.16 [−0.55, 0.87]

 postoperative day 14

2

140

0.47

0

Fixed

−0.44 [−0.56, 0.48]

Postoperative ROM

 postoperative day 2

2

78

0.17

47

Fixed

−2.60 [−6.77, 1.58]

 postoperative day 3

2

118

<0.01

89

Random

−4.15 [−18.36, 10.06]

 postoperative day 7

3

240

0.29

19

Fixed

−0.83 [−3.93, 2.27]

 postoperative day 14

3

240

0.49

0

Fixed

−1.88 [−0.56, 1.29]

 postoperative year 1

2

180

0.92

0

Fixed

0.21 [−1.57, 1.99]