Reviewer’s report  
 
Title:  Follicular flushing increases the number of oocytes retrieved in poor ovarian responders 
undergoing in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort study  
 
Version:  0 Date:  09 Jun 2018  
 
Reviewer:  Andrea  Weghofer  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
The present manuscript aims to evaluate the impact of follicular flushing on oocyte recovery in 
poor responders. In this attempt, a retrospective analysis on 224 women was undertaken.  
 
The research question is of interest and falls within  the scope of the journal. The results obtained 
appear reasonable and support the conclusions drawn. The manuscript is nicely written and sums 
up current literature.  
 
 
There are just some minor issues that deserve consideration:  
 
What was the minimum follicl e size punctured? Was there a standard that was performed in all 
women?  
 
Was there a difference in oocyte recovery rates among different physicians?  
 
Were all follicles flushed if no oocyte could be retrieved?  
 
How did you document repeated flushing? Is it pa rt of the center's routine procedure?  
 
Was there a difference in recovery rates between the different ovulation induction medications?  
 
Please unify decimals for your p values.  
 
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 which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, consid ering 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 
manuscrip t, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either n ow 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 inter ests 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.  
 
I declare that I have no compe ting interests  
 
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal