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).