Comparison 3. Three ‐stage versus two‐ stage (skin not sutured) approach.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Short‐term pain: number of women with perineal pain (up to 48 hours)	2	2597	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.92 [0.84, 1.02]
2 Short‐term pain up to 14 days	2	2594	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.76, 0.98]
3 Analgesia use up to 10 days	2	2597	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.59, 1.23]
4 Dyspareunia up to 3 months	2	2487	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.72 [0.56, 0.94]
5 Long‐term pain (up to 3 months)	2	2487	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.41 [0.10, 1.59]
6 Failure to resume pain‐free intercourse up to 3 months	2	2487	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.80, 0.92]
7 Wound 'gaping' (< 0.5 cm) up to 10 days	2	2594	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.74 [0.87, 8.63]
8 Wound re‐sutured up to 3 months	2	2487	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.56 [0.31, 1.00]
9 Removal of suture material up to 3 months	2	2603	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.60 [0.46, 0.77]
10 Time (in minutes) taken to carry out the repair	1	823	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐4.0 [‐5.59, ‐2.41]