. 2015 Oct 1;8:15. doi: 10.1186/s13044-015-0027-1

Table 4.

Summary of primary and sensitivity analyses

Outcome	Primary analysis	Sensitivity analyses
Outcome	Primary analysis	Excluding ‘lower’ quality studies [8, 12–15] ^a	Excluding imputed data [10] ^b	Excluding studies that did not use electrocautery in conventional [8, 15–18] ^c
Operating Time (min)	−29.13 (−36.73, −21.53)	−22.72 (−31.75, −13.68)	−30.34 (−38.13, −22.54)	−28.95 (−38.44, −19.35)
(MD [95 %CI])	−29.13 (−36.73, −21.53)	−22.72 (−31.75, −13.68)	−30.34 (−38.13, −22.54)	−28.95 (−38.44, −19.35)
Intraoperative Blood Loss (mL)	−45.54 (−72.20, −18.89)	−42.48 (−67.97, −16.99)	Identical to primary analysis	−42.48 (−67.97, −16.99)
(MD [95 %CI])	−45.54 (−72.20, −18.89)	−42.48 (−67.97, −16.99)		−42.48 (−67.97, −16.99)
Post-Operative Pain (VAS)	−1.33 (−1.99, −0.67)	−1.33 (−1.99, −0.67)		−1.33 (−1.99, −0.67)
(MD [95 %CI])	−1.33 (−1.99, −0.67)	−1.33 (−1.99, −0.67)		−1.33 (−1.99, −0.67)
Length of Stay (days)	−0.68 (−1.16, −0.20)	−0.71 (−1.24, −0.18)		−0.59 (−1.21, 0.02)
(MD [95 %CI])	−0.68 (−1.16, −0.20)	−0.71 (−1.24, −0.18)		−0.59 (−1.21, 0.02)
Drainage Volume (mL)	−29.38 (−52.46, −6.30)	−29.38 (−52.46, −6.30)		−29.38 (−52.46, −6.30)
(MD [95 %CI])	−29.38 (−52.46, −6.30)	−29.38 (−52.46, −6.30)		−29.38 (−52.46, −6.30)
Hemorrhage require surgery	0.68 (0.19, 2.46)	0.78 (0.19, 3.18)		0.32 (0.05, 2.01)
(RR [95 %CI])	0.68 (0.19, 2.46)	0.78 (0.19, 3.18)		0.32 (0.05, 2.01)
Transient Hypocalcemia	0.60 (0.44, 0.82)	0.67 (0.45, 1.00)		0.54 (0.37, 0.78)
(RR [95 %CI])	0.60 (0.44, 0.82)	0.67 (0.45, 1.00)		0.54 (0.37, 0.78)
Persistent Hypocalcemia	0.35 (0.07, 1.91)	0.90 (0.06, 14.25)		Too few studies to inform (<2)
(RR [95 %CI])	0.35 (0.07, 1.91)	0.90 (0.06, 14.25)		Too few studies to inform (<2)
Transient RLN Paresis	0.64 (0.28, 1.44)	0.57 (0.23, 1.43)		0.43 (0.16, 1.14)
(RR [95 %CI])	0.64 (0.28, 1.44)	0.57 (0.23, 1.43)		0.43 (0.16, 1.14)
Persistent RLN Paresis	0.33 (0.01, 8.03)	0.33 (0.01, 8.03)		Too few studies to inform (<2)
(RR [95 %CI])	0.33 (0.01, 8.03)	0.33 (0.01, 8.03)		Too few studies to inform (<2)
Wound Seroma	0.57 (0.12, 2.65)	0.57 (0.12, 2.65)		Too few studies to inform (<2)
(RR [95 %CI])	0.57 (0.12, 2.65)	0.57 (0.12, 2.65)		Too few studies to inform (<2)

CI Confidence Interval, LOS Length of Stay, MD Mean Difference, RR Relative Risk, VAS Visual Analog Scale, min minutes, mL milliliters

^aLower quality study defined as: ≥ 4 “unclear” OR one “No” listed in any risk of bias assessment category: Cannizzaro [12], Pons [8], Sista [13], Duan [14], Soroush [15]

^bMiccoli [10]

^cDi Renzo [14], Docimo [16], Materazzi [17], Pons [8], Soroush [15]