Clinicopathologic characteristics of overall patients (n = 131).

Clinicopathologic characteristics of overall patients (n = 131).</p

Overall survival and disease-free survival according to combination of pre and post NLRs using cut-off value 3 (A, B) and according to group A versus groups B-D (C, D) in whole cohort (n = 131).

Overall survival and disease-free survival according to combination of pre and post NLRs using cut-off value 3 (A, B) and according to group A versus groups B-D (C, D) in whole cohort (n = 131).</p

Overall survival and disease-free survival according to cut-off value 3 of pre-NLR (A, B) and post-NLR (C, D).

Overall survival and disease-free survival according to cut-off value 3 of pre-NLR (A, B) and post-NLR (C, D).</p

Univariable and multivariable Cox-regression analysis for DFS after PSM (n = 94).

Univariable and multivariable Cox-regression analysis for DFS after PSM (n = 94).</p

Results of previous studies on NLR in rectal cancer patients with or without preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Results of previous studies on NLR in rectal cancer patients with or without preoperative chemoradiotherapy.</p

Patients’ characteristics according to combination of pre and post-chemoradiotherapy neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio before and after propensity score matching (PSM).

Patients’ characteristics according to combination of pre and post-chemoradiotherapy neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio before and after propensity score matching (PSM).</p

Univariate analysis of risk factors for anastomotic leakage by the multinomial logistic regression.

Univariate analysis of risk factors for anastomotic leakage by the multinomial logistic regression.</p

Flow chart of patient selection.

LAR, Low anterior resection.</p

Multivariate analysis of risk factors for anastomotic leakage.

Multivariate analysis of risk factors for anastomotic leakage.</p

Forest plot for risk factors of anastomotic leakage subtypes.

OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; Lapa, laparoscopy; CRT, chemoradiotherapy.</p