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Objective:To explore the safety of inactivating coronavirus disease 2019(covid-19)vaccine in liver transplantation(LT)recipients.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed for clinical data of 151 LT recipients from March 2003 to October 2019.They had stable conditions and completed the course of covid-19 vaccine.Frequencies of pain at injection site, fatigue, headache and pruritus after vaccination were recorded.The safety profiles were compared between recipients with and without local and general adverse reactions after vaccination.At the same time, recipients completing two doses of covid-19 vaccines were grouped.According to vaccine companies, they were classified into Sinovac Biotech Ltd and Beijing Biological.Based upon more than or less than 60 years, they were grouped into <60 years and ≥60 years.The safety profiles of inactivating COVID-19 vaccine were compared in subgroups.Results:Among 151 eligible LT recipients, 98 of them were in group of age <60 years and 53 in group of age >60 years.The median period between vaccination and LT was 8.44(4.37, 12.39)years and the median concentration of tacrolimus 2.5(1.8, 3.9)ng/L.Eighty-three cases completed two doses of Sinovac Biotech Ltd(Sinovac Biotech Ltd group)and 40 cases Beijing Biological(Beijing Biological group); 14 cases had combined course of Sinovac Biotech Ltd and Beijing Biological, four recipients were vaccinated with inactivated vaccine from other companies and ten recipients did not know their inactivated vaccine' companies.After immunization, 24/151(15.9%)recipients had a local and general adverse reaction.The prevalence of pain at injection site, fatigue, headache and pruritus was 9.9%( n=15), 5.2%( n=8), 1.3%( n=2)and 0.7%( n=1)respectively.No significant differences existed in age( P=0.602), gender( P=0.752), period after LT( P=0.890), trough concentration of tacrolimus( P=0.377)or versions of covid-19 vaccine( P=0.582)between 24 cases with general adverse reaction and 127 without.Local and general reactions occurred in 16/83(19.3%)in Sinovac group and 5/40(12.5%)in Beijing Biological.There was no significant inter-group difference( P=0.769). There were 98 cases(64.9%)in <60 years group, 17 cases(17.3%)had local and general reaction, 53 cases(35.1%)in ≥60 years group and 7 cases(13.2%)had a local and systemic reaction.There was no significant inter-group difference( P=0.507). Conclusions:Covid-19 vaccine is safe for long-term survival LT recipients with normal liver function.Few participants present with mild fatigue and pain at injection site.
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Objective:To study the risk factors and treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients after liver transplantation.Methods:The clinical data of 290 recipients who underwent liver transplantation at the Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from July 2015 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 245 males and 45 females, with a median age of 51(44, 56) years old. The liver transplantation recipients were divided into two groups according to whether PVT occurred or not after operation: the PVT group ( n=16) and the non-PVT group ( n=274). Gender, age and other clinical data of the recipients were compared between the two groups. Outpatient and inpatient follow-up were performed. The risk factors of postoperative PVT were analysed in the liver transplantation recipients. Results:The median follow-up of these 290 liver transplant recipients was 59(42, 73) months, and 16 patients were confirmed to have PVT after operation, with an incidence of 5.5%(16/290). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative PVT ( OR=12.773, 95% CI: 3.887-41.973) was an independent risk factor for PVT after liver transplantation. For the 16 patients with postoperative PVT, 10 were treated with portal vein intervention, and the remaining 6 patients were treated with oral aspirin or rivaroxaban anticoagulation due to mild symptoms. The 3-year survival rate of the PVT group was 93.8% (15/16), while that of the non-PVT group was 90.1% (247/274). There was no significant difference in the 3-year survival rates between the two groups (χ 2<0.01, P=0.969). Conclusions:Preoperative PVT in recipients was an independent risk factor for PVT after liver transplantation. For patients with postoperative PVT, appropriate treatment resulted in good results without affecting the long-term prognosis of these patients.
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Objective:To study the impact of simultaneous ligation of splenic artery on prognosis of patients with severe hypersplenism in liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 206 patients who underwent liver transplantation in the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from December 2016 to February 2019. There were 180 males and 26 females, aged (51.0±9.0) years old. Fifty-one patients underwent splenic artery ligation during liver transplantation and they were enrolled into the observation group, and 155 patients without splenic artery ligation were enrolled into the control group. The changes in white blood cells (WBC), platelets, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin and serum creatinine as well as the incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:The platelet count of the observation group was significantly lower than those of the control group before operation and on days 1, 3, 7, 30 and 90 after operation, (all P<0.05). The WBC counts in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group before operation and on days 1 and 3 after operation (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the WBC counts between the two groups on days 5, 7, 30 and 90 after operation (all P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin indexes between the two groups after surgery (all P>0.05), but the serum creatinine levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group on days 3, 5, 7 and 30 after surgery (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the rates of infection, severe acute rejection, biliary tract complications, arterial/portal thrombosis and mental complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). The rate of renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury in the observation group (9.8%, 5/55) was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.3%, 2/155) ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Ligation of splenic artery during liver transplantation was safe and it had a significant advantage in the early postoperative recovery of WBC count and creatinine without increasing the incidence of complications in patients with severe hypersplenism.
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Objective:To investigate the antiviral efficacy of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in the treatment of liver transplantation (LT) recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.Methods:Twenty-two HCV-infected LT recipients treated with DAAs at Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2014 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, Twenty cases of HCV RNA gene type 1b were treated with sofosbuvir (400 mg/d) + ledipasvir (90 mg/d) or sofosbuvir (400 mg/d) + daclatasvir (60 mg/d) for 12 weeks or 24 weeks; 2 cases of gene type 2a were treated with sofosbuvir (400 mg/d) for 12 weeks. The effect of antiviral treatment, adverse reactions during treatment, and laboratory indicators such as HCVRNA quantification, blood routine, liver and kidney function during treatment and follow-up were studied.Results:The LT recipients of HCV infection included 16 males and 6 females, with a median age of 61.5 (36-71) years old, and the median time of antiviral treatment was 48 (2-117) months after transplantation. Among the 22 patients, 16 received a 12-week course of treatment. Except for 2 patients who did not get HCVRNA negative conversion at 4-week, all achieved a negative HCV RNA at 4-week and the end of the treatment. Six LT recipients received a 24-week course of treatment (gene type 1b), and HCVRNA was negative at 4-week and the end of treatment. All patients achieved end of treatment virological response and a sustained virological response (SVR) rate of 100% at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after the end of treatment. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine were 71.5 (30, 110) U/L and (89.4±25.7) mmol/L before treatment, respectively. ALT decreased to 22 (17.8, 28.5) U/L after 4 weeks of treatment, and serum creatinine decreased to (77.4±11.5) mmol/L at 24 weeks after the end of treatment. The differences before and after treatment were statistically significant (all P<0.05). No serious adverse events occurred during the treatment. Conclusions:DAAs have a definite antiviral effect in the treatment of LT recipients with HCV infection, and long-term SVR can be obtained.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for tumor recurrence and death after liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their survival. MethodsThe patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2005 to February 2019 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation, they were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group. The t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model analyses were used to determine the risk factors for HCC recurrence and death after liver transplantation. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the predictive value of death-related risk factors after liver transplantation. ResultsA total of 391 HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation were enrolled, with a median follow-up time of 2 years, among whom 78(19.95%) experienced HCC recurrence. Preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level＞200 ng/ml (recurrence: hazard ratio ［HR］=252, 95% confidence interval ［CI］: 1.58-4.03, P＜0.001; death: HR=2.99, 95%CI: 1.59-5.62, P＜0.001］, total tumor diameter (recurrence: HR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.12-1.28, P＜0.001; death: HR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.02-1.17, P=0.002), and vascular invasion (recurrence: HR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.04-1.26, P=0.016; death: HR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.03-1.18, P=0.004) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence and death after liver transplantation. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates after liver transplantation were 94.8%, 84.2%, and 83.5%, respectively, and the 1-, 5-, and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 840%, 75.1%, and 75.1%, respectively. AFP, involvement of major blood vessels, body mass index, and total tumor diameter had a certain value in predicting the death of HCC patients with recurrence, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.789 (95% CI: 0.719-0858). ConclusionTumor biological features before transplantation are the key factors for tumor recurrence after transplantation.
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De novo malignancy after liver transplantation is an important factor that affecting the long-term survival of recipient. The main risk factors for de novo malignancy include immunosuppression and many factors of recipients, such as age, gender, race, primary disease, preoperative tumor history and precancerous lesion, carcinogenic virus infection, smoking and drinking, etc. Currently, there is no standardized monitoring scheme after liver transplantation, but planned monitoring is required for high-risk recipients, thus to achieve early diagnosis and improve the survival rate. This article summarized the incidence, prognosis and related risk factors of de novo malignancy after liver transplantation, which provided reference for improving long-term survival rate of recipients after liver transplantation.
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Objective To review the development of adult and pediatric liver transplantation in Tianjin First Center Hospital, and to enhance academic exchanges, improve technological innovation, and jointly promote the progress and maturity in the field of liver transplantation. Methods The development of liver transplantation in Tianjin First Center Hospital was analyzed. The clinical data of adult and pediatric liver transplantation from September 1998 to September 2018 were collected. The important events and technological innovation achievements of liver transplantation during the 20 years were summarized. Results The first clinical liver transplantation was attempted in Tianjin First Central Hospital in April 1980. The first long-term survival adult liver transplantation in China was completed in 1994 (11 years survival after the operation). The specialized team of liver transplantation was formally established in September 1998. The 20-year clinical exploration and progress reflected the characteristics of era changes and technological innovation during the rapid development of liver transplantation in China. Our center performed liver re-transplantation in January 1999, reduced-size pediatric liver transplantation in August 2000. In May 2001, we organized the formulation for the preventive and treatment plan for hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. We performed combined liver and kidney transplantation in July 2002, split liver transplantation (SLT) in April 2004, the first domino liver transplantation (DLT) in August 2005. Pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was initiated in October 2006, adult LDLT was carried out in August 2007. In September 2007, the first living donor combined liver and kidney transplantation from the same donor in Asia was performed. The first domino+living donor double grafts liver transplantation in the world was performed in January 2009. In March 2011, we performed laparoscopically assisted right hepatic lobe liver transplantation (LDLT) with middle hepatic vein. In May 2014, living donor laparoscopic left lateral lobe procurement was successfully established. In April 2016, simultaneous liver, pancreas and kidney multi-organ transplantation was completed. Domino donor-auxiliary liver transplantation was performed in February 2017. In December 2017, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-supported liver transplantation in a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension was successfully completed. Liver transplantation combined with partial splenectomy was established in April 2018. Cross-domino liver transplantation (hypersensitive kidney transplantation with auxiliary liver transplantation+pediatric liver transplantation) was performed in May 2018. During the 20 years, the team has performed or assisted other centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to carry out more than 10 000 cases of liver transplantations. A total of 7 043 cases of various types of liver transplantation were performed in the single center of the hospital (6 005 adult liver transplantations and 1 038 pediatric liver transplantations). Concerning adult liver transplantation, the cumulative 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate from September 1998 to March 2003 were 83.1%, 73.0% and 69.0%, from April 2003 to March 2009 were 85.3%, 76.2% and 72.1% and from April 2009 to September 2018 were 87.5%, 79.2% and 75.1%, respectively. The cumulative 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate for pediatric liver transplantation were 93.5%, 92.2% and 90.2%, respectively. The nucleoside (acid) analogue combined with low dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) was developed to prevent the recurrence of hepatitis B after liver transplantation, this plan has reduced the recurrence rate of hepatitis B and the 5-year re-infection rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) after liver transplantation significantly. The risk assessment system for tumor recurrence after liver transplantation was established and individual treatment method was established based on this assessment system. Continuous exploration and improvement of liver transplantation for liver cancer, liver re-transplantation, liver transplantation with portal vein thrombosis, SLT, DLT and multi-organ combined transplantation have significantly improved the clinical efficacy of patients and the post-operative survival rate. Conclusions The liver transplantation team of Tianjin First Center Hospital has carried out a scientific and technological exploration on the key problems and technical difficulties of clinical liver transplantation. This work strongly has initiated and promoted the rapid development of liver transplantation in China. The restrictive barrier of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation has been overcome. The risk prevention and control system of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation has been established. A series of innovative achievements that can be popularized have been achieved in the field of complex liver transplantation and expansion of donor liver source. The iterative progress and sustainable development of liver transplantation have been realized.
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Objective To investigate the significance of orthotopic liver transplantation in the management of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) ; To evaluate the survival and prognostic factors of liver transplantation for PHC.Method The clinical data from 194 consecutive PHC patients who underwent OLT were retrospectively analyzed.Result The 1-,3-and 5-year cumulative survival rate of the 194 patients was 92.78％,78.07％ and 76.80％ respectively.There were 37 cases of recurrence or metastasis of the tumor with the incidence rate being 19.1％ (37/194).The tumor TNM stage (P=0.026 667),tumor diameter (P =0.0045),tumor number (P =0.0318),vascular invasion (P =0.006 059),and AFP level before transplantation (P =0.003 426) were significantly related with tumor recurrence.Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor diameter (P =0.0081,OR =0.789,95％ CI:2.1233-6.124),vascular invasion (P＜0.001,OR =5.928,95 ％ CI:1.173-86.789),and AFP level before transplantation (P =0.019,OR =2.601,95％ CI:2.196-5.658) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence.There was statistically significant difference in survival rate and tumor-free survival rate between Milan criteria group and beyond-UCSF criteria group (P＜0.01),and between UCSF criteria group and beyond-UCSF criteria group (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in survival rate and tumor-free survival rate between Milan criteria group and UCSF criteria group (P ＞0.05).Conclusion Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for PHC.The tumor diameter ＞8 cm,vascular invasion and AFP level significantly affect the survival of PHC patients.
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BACKGROUND:Prolonged therapy with lamivudine has been associated with tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate mutation, which results in hepatitis B recurrence. Recently, antiviral agents, such as entecavir, have high efficacy and low resistance rate in hepatitis B-related liver disease. However, the researches on the effect of entecavir in preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation are rare. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of entecavir combined with low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin in preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. METHODS:The fol ow-up data of 253 patients who had liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus related liver disease were retrospectively analyzed. Al patients received nucleoside analogues therapy formal y before liver transplantation. The effects of entecavir+hepatitis B immunoglobulin and lamivudine+hepatitis B immunoglobulin were compared in al the patients and the patents with hepatitis B recurrence risk factors (positive preoperative HBeAg, DNA-positive hepatitis B virus, hepatoma and tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate mutation). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 253 patients received hepatitis B virus-related liver transplantation, and 29 patients died. There were 202 patients in lamivudine group in which 26 patients were dead and 16 patients had hepatitis B virus recurrence, and the recurrence rate was 7.92%(16/202). However, entecavir group had 51 patients without hepatitis B virus recurrence in which three patients were dead. There were significant differences in the mortality rate and recurrence rate between two groups. Compared with the lamivudine+hepatitis B immunoglobulin, entecavir+hepatitis B immunoglobulin could effectively reduce the recurrence rate of the patients with hepatitis B virus-related risk factors. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin was terminated and nucleoside analogues were modulated when recurrence appeared. Al patients hepatitis B virus DNA were control ed less than 500 IU/mL and liver function returned to normal level. Log-rank test showed that there was no significant difference in the long-term survival rate after timely treatment of hepatitis B virus recurrence. With the prevention of nucleoside analogues combined with hepatitis B immunoglobulin therapy, timely treatment of hepatitis B recurrence has little influence on the prognosis. Entecavir combined with hepatitis B immunoglobulin can effectively prevent the hepatitis B recurrence. For the patients with hepatitis B virus-related risk factors, entecavir combined with hepatitis B immunoglobulin can better reduce the recurrence rate of hepatitis B than lamivudine+hepatitis B immunoglobulin after liver transplantation.
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ObjectiveTo demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Hangzhou tacrolimus capsule (Saishi Tac capsule,Hangzhou Zbongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co.Ltd,China) in Chinese liver transplant recipients.MethodsMulticenter,randomized open-labeled,prospective controlled clinical trial was performed in de novo Chinese liver transplant recipients.According to inclusive and exclusive criterion,83 liver recipients from 11transplant centers were enrolled.The recipients accepted Saishi Tac capsule,mycopheolate and steroid 48 h post-operation.The initial dose of Tac was 0.1-0.15 mg kg-1day-1and C0 was 8-12 ng/ml in the first 60 days,followed by 5-10 ng/ml until the terminal observation time poiut (12 weeks after transplantation).The efficacy and safety were estimated during the period.The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was the incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection.Graft survival was the secondary endpoint.Safety was assessed by monitoring laboratory parameters and adverse events reported over the course of the study,such as infection,renal damage,hypertension,hyperlipema and diabetes mellitus and other adverse affairs.ResultsThe dose of Tac at 1st,2nd,4th and 8th week post-operation was (4.1±1.9),(4.5±2.1),(4.5±2.1),(4.4±1.8) and (4.1±2.1) mg,and correspondjng values to the C0 were (8.1±4.5),(8.9±4.5),(8.8±4.3),(8.8±4.1) and (8.0±2.8) ng/ml.During 12 weeks of follow-up,the incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection was 4.8％ (4/83),and all of cases were reversed by implosive therapy.The survival rate of graft hver was 100％.The incidence of lung infection and diabetes mellitus was both 6.02％.ConclusionSaishi Tac capsule was safe and effective to Chinese liver transplant recipients.
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BACKGROUND: Biliary complications are a common cause of death in patients after liver transplantation, biliary endoscopic minimally invasive technique is gradually becoming an important tool to solve biliary complications following orthotopic liver transplantation.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the literatures on the biliary tract complications after liver transplantation, and to demonstrate a clear role of bile duct endoscopy in biliary complications.METHODS: Using "orthotopic liver transplantation, biliary complications, biliary tract, endoscope technique" in English for the search term, Pubmed database were searched between January 1980 and October 2008; Using "liver transplantation, biliary complications, bile duct cast, cholangioscopy" in Chinese for the search term, Vip Chinese Periodical Database and CNKI database were searched between 1994 and January 2009. Literature language was limited to English and Chinese. The studies related to bile duct injury-caused biliary complications after liver transplantation were included, while other research unrelated to biliary complications after liver transplantation were excluded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 52 literatures were screened out by the primary computer inspection, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 ones were involved for analysis. Biliary complications and vascular complications are considered as a common cause of death in patients after liver transplantation, particularly in biliary complications has become the major reason limiting the development of liver transplantation. Because of the difficulties on early recognition and treatment, the importance of the treatment for the complications in liver transplant patients is increasingly attracting more and more attention. Endoscopic operation technology and their subsidiary parts are improving, particularly therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and biliary mirror technology are developing and continuously improving, biliary endoscopic minimally invasive technique is gradually becoming a major approach to solve biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation, The minimally invasive endoscopic diagnosis and treatment is an intuitive, reliable and credible means for the biliary complications after liver transplantation, serving as the most preferred method for diagnosing and treating biliary complications after liver transplantation.
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Objective To explore the clinical experience of liver retransplantation in management of biliary complications after liver transplantation.Methods The clinical data of patients receiving liver transplantion in our department between April 2002 and Aug. 2004 were retrospectively analyzed, including 5 patients being subjected to liver retransplantation because of serious biliary complication.Results Three patients were cured with the survival time being 5 months, 6 months and 8 months respectively. Two patients died at 8th and 43rd day: one died of liver non-function combining with lung infection and heart failure, and another died of renal failure. Complications included liver absess, biliary infection, wound infection, hydrops abdominis and lung infection.Conclusions Liver retransplantation is an effective treatment for serious biliary complications after liver transplantation. Surgical procedure, indication, operative opportunity, perioperative monitoring and so on contribute to the increase of the survival rate of the patients receiving liver retransplantation.
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Objective To evaluate the preventive effect of different portal vein flush solutions in no heart beating donor harvest on biliary cast syndrome (BCS) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), and the application of choledochoscopy in treating BCS. Methods The incidence of biliary complications in 137 consecutive recipients undergoing OLT in our liver transplant center from May. 2002 to Dec. 2003 was retrospectively analyzed. The incidence and risk factors of BCS were compared in 2 groups with different types of portal vein flush solution in no heart beating donor liver harvest: group 1 (n = 65). University of Wisconsin (UW) solution; and group 2 (n = 72), hypertonic citrate adenine ( HCA) solution combined with UW solution. Therapeutic experience and clinical value of choledochoscopy for BCS were summarized. Results Seventeen out of 137 cases (12.4 %) developed BCS in the first three months after operation. In the group 1, the incidence of BCS was 20. 0 % (13/ 65), while that in the group 2 5. 56 % (4/72) with the difference being significant (P