Table 3. Continuous data: summary of the meta-analysis results.
| Postoperative outcomes | studies | participants | statistical methods | effect size | test of heterogeneity | test of overall effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PaO2/FiO2 ratio immediate PO | 2 | 47 | WMD (random), 95% CI | 3.05 [-6.18, 12.27] | Chi-squared 4.58 df = 1 p = 0.03 | Z = 0.65 p = 0.52 |
| PaO2/FiO2 ratio on POD1 | 2 | 47 | WMD (random), 95% CI | 2.38 [-15.55, 20.31] | Chi-squared 32.01 df = 1 p < 0.00001 | Z = 0.26 p = 0.79 |
| PaO2/FiO2 ratio on POD2 | 2 | 47 | WMD (random), 95% CI | 13.57 [7.40, 19.74] |
Chi-squared 3.45 df = 1 p = 0.06 | Z = 4.31 p < 0.0001 |
| PaO2/FiO2 ratio on POD3 | 2 | 47 | WMD (random), 95% CI | 13.62 [9.80, 17.45] | Chi-squared 0.42 df = 1 p = 0.52 | Z = 6.98 p < 0.00001 |
| Plasma levels of interleukin-6 on POD1 | 3 | 111 | WMD (random), 95% CI | -374.72 [-452.99,-296.45] |
Chi-squared 8.80 df = 2 p = 0.00001 | Z = 9.38 p < 0.00001 |
POD = postoperative day; WMD = weighted mean difference; CI = confidence interval; df = degrees of freedom.