Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: 'Doing hymen reconstruction': an analysis of perceptions and experiences of Flemish 
gynaecologists  
 
Version: 1 Date: 01 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: Verina Wild  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
In my opinion the paper has substantially improved. Here are just some minor 
corrections/comments:  
 
Abstract: Conflicting social mores??  
Abstract last line: From as it ... on the sentence is unclear.  
P 3, line 37: Maybe write: and with the fact that th ere is a wide range....  
P 3, line 59 Maybe write: how this might explain the different attitudes...  
P 4, ine 27: Maybe write: The study participants (or: responding physicians) also did not...  
P 4, line 56: these resolutions are introduced by whom?  
P 7, l ine 1: Item under 4) is a bit unclear  
P 10, line 36 - 46: 19 Maybe write: respondents received one to two requestes and 20 
respondents (25%) received three or more (> received; spell out numbers up to ten).  
Compare P10, line 60 with p11, line 12: Same inf ormation? Question to women why they 
requested HR, but then the results are different (70 versus 69).  
 
Discussion:  
The tense changes - please be consistent  
P 13, line 57: I would delete the „even". It sounds judgmental  
P 14, line 7: Maybe write: It would  be interesting to explore further whether counselling should 
assist and if so how counselling can assist in ... capacity building on HR counselling should and 
can be introduced... (> That way it leaves the questions open for the ethical discussion)  
P 14,  l 54: Last sentence on the page is unclear  
P 15, line 35: Sentence unclear (hence drawing attention...) . Is there a verb missing? Who draws 
attention? How is that meant?  
P 15, line 54: what and how to assess > That doesn't work grammatically  
P 16, line 1: stemming from...  
P 16, line 6: write % as a word?  
P 16, line 10: the literature  
P 16, line 31: the reasons for this > For what exactly?  
The paper mostly says: "more research". I strongly recommend to mention somewhere 
(especially in the conclusion), that especially qualitative studies are needed. I think these are the 
ones that can really provide insight.  
One more language check is recommended.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify w hich controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 manuscri pt 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:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
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financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing  interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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