Research Article

Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications?

Volume: 65 Number: 3 September 3, 2026
TR EN

Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications?

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative thrombocytopenia and other risk factors on the need for emergency surgery due to complications following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and to evaluate the impact of emergency surgery on patient survival. Materials and Methods: The data of 270 patients who underwent LDLT for end-stage liver disease between July 2021 and October 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: those requiring postoperative emergency surgery and those who did not. Preoperative demographic findings, etiology, comorbidities, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, and laboratory parameters (including platelet counts and INR) were compared between the groups. Results: Postoperative emergency surgery was required in 31 (11%) patients. The most common indications were portal vein thrombosis, intra-abdominal bleeding, and hepatic vein thrombosis. The mean preoperative platelet count was significantly lower (p=0.027) and INR was significantly higher (p=0.047) in the emergency surgery group compared to the non-emergency group. A platelet cut-off value of 81,000/mm³ was identified for predicting reoperation. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding comorbidities or decompensation findings. Emergency surgical intervention significantly shortened patient survival (p<0.001). Conclusions: Preoperative thrombocytopenia, particularly values below 81,000/mm³, and elevated INR are significant risk indicators for postoperative complications requiring emergency surgery in LDLT recipients. The need for emergency surgery is associated with poor survival outcomes; therefore, high-risk patients should be monitored closely.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Project Number

Bu çalışma herhangi bir kurum, kuruluş veya fon tarafından desteklenmemiştir.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Aydin University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 2023/143, Date: November 15, 2023). Due to the retrospective nature of the study, informed consent was waived.

Thanks

The authors declare that there is no acknowledgment to disclose.

References

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  5. 5. Saleh Rachidi, Hong Li, Kristin Wallace, Zihai Li, Charles Balch, Tim Lautenschlaeger. Preoperative platelet counts and postoperative outcomes in cancer surgery: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Platelets. 2020;31(1):79-87.
  6. 6. Seung-Young Oh, Jeong Moo Lee, Hannah Lee, Chul-Woo Jung, Nam-Joon Yi, Kwang-Woong Lee, et al. Emergency department visits and unanticipated readmissions after liver transplantation: A retrospective observational study. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):4084.
  7. 7. Young Gon Son, Hannah Lee, Seung Young Oh, Chul-Woo Jung, Ho Geol Ryu. Risk Factors for Intensive Care Unit Readmission After Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Ann Transplant. 2018;23:767-74.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Surgery (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 3, 2026

Submission Date

January 4, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 65 Number: 3

APA
Şahin, E., Anılır, E., Dirican, A., & Ünal, B. (2026). Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications? Ege Tıp Dergisi, 65(3), 386-393. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1855183
AMA
1.Şahin E, Anılır E, Dirican A, Ünal B. Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications? EJM. 2026;65(3):386-393. doi:10.19161/etd.1855183
Chicago
Şahin, Emrah, Ender Anılır, Abuzer Dirican, and Bülent Ünal. 2026. “Can Preoperative Thrombocytopenia Be a Risk Indicator for Emergency Surgery Due to Liver Transplant Complications?”. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65 (3): 386-93. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1855183.
EndNote
Şahin E, Anılır E, Dirican A, Ünal B (September 1, 2026) Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications? Ege Tıp Dergisi 65 3 386–393.
IEEE
[1]E. Şahin, E. Anılır, A. Dirican, and B. Ünal, “Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications?”, EJM, vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 386–393, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.19161/etd.1855183.
ISNAD
Şahin, Emrah - Anılır, Ender - Dirican, Abuzer - Ünal, Bülent. “Can Preoperative Thrombocytopenia Be a Risk Indicator for Emergency Surgery Due to Liver Transplant Complications?”. Ege Tıp Dergisi 65/3 (September 1, 2026): 386-393. https://doi.org/10.19161/etd.1855183.
JAMA
1.Şahin E, Anılır E, Dirican A, Ünal B. Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications? EJM. 2026;65:386–393.
MLA
Şahin, Emrah, et al. “Can Preoperative Thrombocytopenia Be a Risk Indicator for Emergency Surgery Due to Liver Transplant Complications?”. Ege Tıp Dergisi, vol. 65, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 386-93, doi:10.19161/etd.1855183.
Vancouver
1.Emrah Şahin, Ender Anılır, Abuzer Dirican, Bülent Ünal. Can preoperative thrombocytopenia be a risk indicator for emergency surgery due to liver transplant complications? EJM. 2026 Sep. 1;65(3):386-93. doi:10.19161/etd.1855183

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