Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0483-7 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
Title:  Useful condition of chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine and acetic acid for ide ntifying 
a demarcation line prior to endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer  
 
Version:  0 Date : 28 Feb 2016  
 
Reviewer:  Greoge Philips  
 
Reviewer's report:  
The article was an interesting adaptation of current technology to facilitate more efficient 
delineation of the demarcation line. The overa ll aim of the study was to demonstrate the utility of 
using chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine and acetic acid however the overall utility of this 
technique is lost as it was deemed useful in only 38.5% of the cases. Therefore the vast majority 
of cases t his was not deemed useful. A second general concern is the derivation of the "useful" 
and "useless" categories. Were the four endoscopists involved in the actual ESD? Were these 
reviewers blinded. Why was the point score of 7 -8 chosen?  
 
Are the methods appro priate 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 re commended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
I recommend additional statistical review  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
Needs some language corrections b efore being published  
Declaration of competing interests  
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary from an 
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3. Do you hold or are you curr ently applying for any patents  relating to the content of the 
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