In this article by Venkat et al., the authors evaluated whether thrombocytopenia in patients with well-compensated cirrhosis impacts outcome in following liver resection for hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Their key finding was that isolated thrombocytopenia is a significant predictor of perioperative morbidity and mortality even when other indicators of liver function were normal and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was low. The methodology of this article and the high numbers of patients evaluated lend credence to concept that isolated thrombocytopenia is a significant predictor of negative outcomes after hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients [ [1] Venkat R. Hannallah J.R. Krouse R.S. Maegawa F.B. Preoperative thrombocytopenia and outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Surg Res. 2016; 201: 498 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (13) Google Scholar ]. This article and its findings, therefore, provide valuable insights to hepatobiliary surgeons who not infrequently encounter relatively healthy cirrhotic patients with low platelet count and resectable HCC lesions. Preoperative thrombocytopenia and outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinomaJournal of Surgical ResearchVol. 201Issue 2PreviewPlatelet count is known to be an indirect indicator of portal hypertension but is not a part of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score or the Child–Pugh score for risk stratification in hepatobiliary surgery. Full-Text PDF