Table 3 Subgroup analysis comparing oncological outcomes of LRNU vs. ORNU, stratified by pathological stage, surgical route, and study design

CSS

Pathological stage

pT3/T4

5 [5, 18, 19, 25, 27]

420/725

1.51 [0.95–2.38]

0.08

74

pTany N+

2 [19, 27]

33/77

0.79 [0.43–1.45]

0.44

32

Surgical access (LRNU)

Transperitoneal

6 [5, 11, 18, 19, 22, 27]

1082/1605

0.77 [0.41–1.44]

0.41

83

Retroperitoneal

1 [17]

35/41

0.32 [0.07–1.46]

0.14

NA

Study design^#

Retrospective

10 [11, 13, 14, 17,18,19, 22, 24, 25, 27]

2622/3817

0.81 [0.57–1.15]

0.24

74

Randomized controlled trial

1 [5]

40/40

1.87 [0.54–6.47]

0.26

NA

OS

Pathological stage

pT3/T4

2 [19, 23]

285/377

1.45 [0.50–4.23]

0.50

91

pTany N+

2 [18, 19]

115/145

0.92 [0.53–1.59]

0.76

58

Surgical access (LRNU)

Transperitoneal

3 [18, 19, 22]

875/1070

0.86 [0.32–2.35]

0.77

93

Retroperitoneal

1 [17]

75/351

0.29 [0.07–1.16]

0.08

NA

IVRFS

Pathological stage

pT3/T4

2 [19, 25]

323/337

1.14 [0.53–2.46]

0.74

85

pTany N+

1 [19]

31/29

1.48 [0.68–3.22]

0.32

NA

Surgical access (LRNU)

Transperitoneal

2 [19, 22]

775/799

0.83 [0.70–1.07]

0.06

0

Retroperitoneal

2 [17, 21]

114/68

1.61 [0.84–3.11]

0.15

0

RFS

Pathological stage

pT3/T4

2 [14, 27]

143/347

1.00 [0.66–1.51]

0.98

0

pTany N+

2 [14, 27]

20/90

1.59 [0.62–4.07]

0.33

30

Surgical access (LRNU)

Transperitoneal

2 [11, 27]

220/1162

1.15 [0.83–1.59]

0.40

25

Retroperitoneal

2 [17, 26]

106/380

0.59 [0.31–1.10]

0.10

0