Meta-analysis of deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) versus free breathing (FB) in postoperative radiotherapy for left-side breast cancer.

Objectives: This meta-analysis evaluates the difference in deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) versus free breathing (FB) for patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy for left breast cancer and provides a useful reference for clinical practice.

Methods: The relevant controlled trials of DIBH versus FB in postoperative radiotherapy for left-side breast cancer were retrieved from the databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The principal outcome of interest was heart dose, left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) dose, and left lung dose and target coverage.