Seven RCTs (n=1,297) were included in the review.
All 7 RCTs had an adequate control group. None of the studies reported a prospective definition of the sample size. The number of criteria met by the included studies ranged from 2 to 10, out of a possible 11.
Based on 7 RCTs, patients receiving MBP had a statistically significant increase in the rate of anastomotic dehiscence causing leakage compared with patients not receiving MBP (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.22, P=0.03). With an incidence of 5%, the NNT without MBP to prevent an anastomotic leak would be 32 (95% CI: 19, 306).
There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of intra-abdominal infection (4 RCTs), wound infection (7 RCTs), reoperation rates (5 RCTs), general complications and extra-abdominal morbidity (3 RCTs), or mortality (5 RCTs) between patients who received MBP and those that did not.