Statistical analysis
Patients’ characteristics were presented as mean ± standard deviation,
median [range] or as counts and percentages.
Survival and mid-term outcomes rates were calculated using the
Kaplan–Meier method. Statistical analyses were performed using the
Stat-View Statistical Software Package 5.0 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary,
NC, USA), NCSS 2001 (Number Cruncher Statistical System, Kaysville,
Utah).