Comparison 2. Purse‐string skin closure (PSSC) versus linear skin closure (LSC): participants with ileostomy.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
2.1 Surgical site infection	5	344	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.15 [0.07, 0.32]
2.2 Participant satisfaction (very satisfied or satisfied)	1		Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.2.1 Very satisfied	1	61	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.64 [0.50, 5.35]
2.2.2 Satisfied	1	61	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.61 [0.19, 2.00]
2.2.3 Very satisfied or satisfied	1	61	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Not estimable
2.3 Participant satisfaction (unsatisfied or very unsatisfied)	1		Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.3.1 Unsatisfied	1	61	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Not estimable
2.3.2 Very unsatisfied	1	61	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Not estimable
2.3.3 Unsatisfied or very unsatisfied	1	61	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Not estimable
2.4 Incisional hernia	2	156	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.65 [0.11, 25.47]
2.5 Anastomotic leak	1	72	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	Not estimable
2.6 Intestinal obstruction	1	84	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.94 [0.30, 2.98]
2.7 Operative time (minutes)	5	344	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.24 [‐8.46, 3.99]
2.8 Length of hospital stay (days)	5	344	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.78 [‐1.87, 0.32]