RT Journal
A1 Oussoultzoglou E, Jaeck D, Addeo P, et al
T1 PRediction and statistical analysis—reply
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 2011
FD May 1
VO 146
IS 5
SP 633
OP 634
DO 10.1001/archsurg.2011.83
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2011.83
AB 
Unfortunately, all previously published studies have analyzed the occurrence of postoperative liver failure on the basis of postoperative biological parameters, once liver resection has already been performed. Our study attempts to go beyond postoperative assessment by identifying preoperative factors to truly predict and avoid mortality after liver resection in patients in which risk may exceed benefits. Dr Braillon takes issue with the size of our study. We would like to point out that our study is the first to show that a combination of easily obtainable biological parameters, measurable preoperatively in a simple blood sample, can predict the mortality rate in patients requiring right-sided major or extended major liver resection with extra-hepatic bile duct resection. The purpose was to show that the principle of predicting outcome in these patients up front is valid in a retrospective cohort of patients. Such a study intentionally will have a limited number of high-risk patients. It is reassuring to note that the results of our “short series” have recently been confirmed in a larger study by Breitenstein et al.1