Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0630-9 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes of neuroendocrine tumors of ampulla 
of Vater  
 
Version: 1 Date: 26 Mar 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Katarzyna  Kusnierz  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
The authors correctly addressed to most of the comments and corrected the thesis. However, 
when referring t o „resection margins", they have used the definition of R0 resection, which 
requires correction and clarification.  
 
 
An explanation is required in terms of the following sentence:  
 
"All patients underwent R0 resection, which was defined as no microscopic or macroscopic 
residual tumor with negative surgical margin".  
 
My question concerning the R0 resection meant 2 used definitions of negative surgical margin: 
1/ the revised R0 definition (1 mm margin clearance) or  2/ resection margins are classified as R0 
- no tumor at the resection margin (without tumor cells directly at the resection line).  
 
I understand that the authors referred to the definition no 2. Nevertheless, I do not agree with the 
R0 definition presented by the authors: "all patients underwent R0 re section, which was defined 
as no microscopic or macroscopic residual tumor with negative surgical margin". What does the 
term „or macroscopic" imply? No macroscopic residual tumor within the margin does not 
indicate R0 resection.  
 
Please provide proper defi nition of  the R0 resection.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you  able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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