Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01476-9 (2020)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: Comparison of prognostic impact of anatomic location of the pancreas on postoperative
pancreatic fistula in laparoscopic and open gastrectomy
Version: 0Date: 31 Aug 2020
Reviewer's report:
Regarding the relationship between the anatomic location of the pancreas and the postoperative
pancreatic fistula, not only LG but also OG are evaluated at the same age and in the sameinstitution, and so I think the results of LG's problems are well understood. However, I think thereare some issues and three questions.
In this study, 115 patients of LG and 118 patients of OG were analyzed respectively, and it is hard
to say that the number of LG patients in this study is superior to previous reports. In conclusionsection, I think it would be better to emphasize the uniqueness of this research.
Q1)
I can understand the clinical sense based on the left gastric artery, but isn't it easier to measure thedistance from the aorta to the surface of the pancreas, rather than searching the root of the leftgastric artery in the sagittal section?
Q2)
In this study, it is described that a closed drain was routinely placed in the peripancreatic space, butthe drainage of this drain may change the peripancreatic fluid collection. How many postoperativedays were CT taken to evaluate pancreatic fistula? And was it after removing the drain?
Q3)
What is the reason why there is no difference in the relationship between pancreatic fistula andPLD measured for horizontal distance, even though there is significant difference in PA length?
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(default)
Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use of appropriate
controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence presented?
YesAre the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?YesIs the presentation of the work clear?Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free from apparent
manipulation?
Yes