Comparison 5. Decompression versus split‐decompression.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Pain	3	175	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	6.35 [‐3.35, 16.04]
1.1 Long‐term (12 months or more)	3	175	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	6.35 [‐3.35, 16.04]
2 Disability	4	207	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.87 [‐2.82, 6.57]
2.1 Long‐term (12 months or more)	4	207	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.87 [‐2.82, 6.57]
3 Recovery	4	207	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐5.18 [‐19.81, 9.45]
4 Operation time	4	211	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐10.57 [‐34.39, 13.25]
5 Blood loss	4	211	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.83 [‐27.65, 23.98]
6 Reoperations	3	153	Risk Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.22 [0.22, 6.85]
7 Hospitalisation	2	121	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.49 [‐1.70, 4.67]