Integrating sankey diagrams into meta-analysis reporting: A novel approach to visualizing intergroup relationships, study inclusion, event rates, and statistical outcomes in systematic reviews and meta-analysis of pediatric surgery

Abstract

Meta-analyses are among the most valuable methodologies in clinical research, as they integrate data from multiple studies to generate stronger and more reliable conclusions. Traditionally, statistical outcomes in meta-analyses are displayed through forest plots, funnel plots. These tools are the core of meta-analysis and are useful for displaying results. Nevertheless, these tools are limited in their ability to provide an integrated visualization of key meta-analytic outcomes―such as intergroup relationships, number of included studies, number of patients, percentages, and p-values―within a single figure. At this point, Sankey diagrams emerge as a significant innovation in meta-analysis reporting.