Fig. 4.

Network meta-analysis for surgical site infection. (A) Network plot showing the geometry of evidence across timing strategies, with node size and edge thickness reflecting study size and number of direct comparisons, respectively. (B) P score radar plot demonstrating the relative ranking of each strategy for infection risk, where higher values indicate lower infection risk. (C) League table heatmap showing pooled pairwise risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Values > 1 indicate higher infection risk in the row-defining strategy relative to the column-defining comparator, whereas values < 1 favor the row strategy. Color intensity reflects the magnitude of effect. Abbreviations: Pre = Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement prior to cranioplasty. Simultaneous = Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement at the time of cranioplasty. Post = Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after cranioplasty