Comparison 2. All studies stratified by level of anastomosis.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Clinical anastomotic dehiscence	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.66 [0.11, 3.94]
1.1 Intra‐peritoneal anastomosis	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.66 [0.11, 3.94]
2 Mortality	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.74 [0.30, 1.80]
2.1 Intra‐peritoneal anastomosis	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.74 [0.30, 1.80]
3 Re‐intervention	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.71 [0.31, 1.62]
3.1 Intra‐peritoneal anastomosis	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.71 [0.31, 1.62]
4 Radiological anastomotic dehiscence	1	317	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.34 [0.01, 8.38]
4.1 Intra‐peritoneal anastomosis	1	317	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.34 [0.01, 8.38]
5 Wound infection	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.01 [0.39, 2.66]
5.1 Intra‐peritoneal anastomosis	2	416	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.01 [0.39, 2.66]