a trend toward significanceP = 0.07
3a ). The comparison between the combined group of patients with an intra-mesorectal and a muscularis propria plane of resection and the patients with a mesorectal plane showed a trend toward significance (RR 1.84 [95 % CI 0.94 to 3.61] Z = 1.79 P = 0.07) (Fig. 3b ).