Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01807-4 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Surgical resection significantly promotes the overall survival of patients
with hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis
Version: 
0 
Date: 
06 Mar 2021
Reviewer's report:
Reviewer comments to BMGE-D-20-01540
This study aimed to investigate survival benefits of surgical resection of HCC
compared to that of non-surgical treatments using a large cohort and propensity
score matching.
Although the sample size was sufficient and their results were appropriate, the
reviewer have following comments.
Major comments:
1. 
Regarding variables of tumor size and number, do the authors have numerical
data? 
These variables were provided as binarized data in this study and
performed propensity score matching (PSM). However, PSM using binarized
data sometimes cannot eliminate its bias completely. 
2. 
Regarding nonsurgical group, do the authors have data about distribution of
performing ablation, TACE, and so on? 
If the authors have these data, please
provide distribution of these treatments in the non-SR group.
3. Related to the Q2, if ablation treatment was dominantly performed on patients
in non-SR group at BCLC stage 0/A, the authors might be able to compare
between SR and ablation instead of between SR and non-SR in the discussion
chapter.
4. In the discussion and conclusion, the authors described the prognostic benefits
of SR in the BCLC stage B/C based on their results obtained by PSM analysis.
However, these results are valid in the cohorts with matching propensity scores,
and does not always represent results for all patients with BCLC stage B/C.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes