Future liver volume combined with platelet count predicts liver failure after major hepatectomy

•Major hepatectomy is associated with a high risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).•Future remnant liver volume/estimated standard total liver volume (FLV/eTV) and pre-operative platelet (PLT) count are two independent risk factors of PHLF.•A decision tree was generated base on the optimal cutoff values of FLV/eTV and PLT count.•Compared with the 2018 EASL guideline, the results of our study are more applicable to the east Asia populations, and are applicable to liver tumors other than hepatocellular carcinoma.