Pooled analyses of baseline imbalances.

<p>Forest plots displayed the potential confounding factors found by baseline analyses. M-H: Mantel-Haenszel method. IV: Inverse Variance method. Random: In some subgroups there were significant heterogeneity, and random effect model was used. CI: confidence interval. <b>A</b>) Baseline analysis on number of liver metastases. Staged/Sim. favours lower: more patients in staged/simultaneous group had lower number of metastases. <b>B</b>) Baseline analysis on size of liver metastases. Staged/Sim. favours small: more patients in staged/simultaneous group had smaller size of metastases. <b>C</b>) Baseline analysis on distribution of liver metastases. Staged/Sim. faours unilobar: more patients in staged/simultaneous group had unilobar liver metastases. <b>D</b>) Baseline analysis on scope of hepatectomy. Staged/Sim. favours minor: more patients in staged/simultaneous group received minor hepatectomy. <b>E</b>) Baseline analysis on primary tumor location. Staged/Sim. favours right-sided: more patients in staged/simultaneous group had primary tumor located at right-sided colon.