Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01553-z (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Preoperative platelet count predicts posttransplant portal vein complications in orthotopic liver
transplantation: a propensity score analysis
Version: 
0 
Date: 
13 Jul 2020
Reviewer's report:
The paper entitled "Preoperative platelet count predicts posttransplant morbidity in orthotopic liver
transplantation: a propensity score analysis" is a retrospective analysis from one centre 
based on 329 liver
transplantations. The authors analysed the role of platelets on the postoperative morbidity after liver
transplantation.
Basing on their research they concluded that preoperative platelet count > 49.5×10 9 /L was an
independent risk factor for post 
transplant portal vein complication. 
I have one remark. Most patients undergoing liver transplantation have low platelet counts, first of all due
to hypersplenism. Meanwhile, in the authors' material over 50% of patients had platelet count > 49.5×10
9 /L. In my opinion this contradiction requires explanation.
Furtherly, I have two questions. 
Firstly, were the patients in both groups treated equally after liver transplantation in aspect of
anticoagulation prophylaxis?
Secondly, were the patients with hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome) among those with the
indications for liver transplantation? This is important because this group of patients often has
haematological disorders that lead to hypercoagulation. If such patients were included in the study, did this
affect the number of complications in the form of portal vein thrombosis. 
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