Pre and Postoperative Muscle Wastage and Sarcopenia Using CT Scans in Patients Undergoing Pelvic Exenteration Surgery

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Good

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Very good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Very good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Very good

Comments: The Discussion section retrospectively analyses the risk factors for high incidence of postoperative sarcopenia as well as evaluates the efficiency of computed tomography (CT) scan which follows a body composition analysis to identify sarcopenia in patients after pelvic exenteration surgery. The limitation of this study is properly addressed in this section. The Conclusion is consistent with the results presented in the article.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Good

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This retrospective cohort study, involving 34 patients, focuses on the significance of computed tomography (CT) scan as an efficient diagnostic tool to accurately identify patients who have undergone pelvic exenteration surgery with high postoperative risk secondary to sarcopenia. It demonstrates that an increase in sarcopenia prevalence post-surgery is associated with muscle wastage which needs to be minimised. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors responsible for the complications after pelvic exenteration surgery and the diagnostic ability of CT scan to determine skeletal muscle index and sarcopenia. This study also states that optimized nutritional status and prehabilitation may have the potential to further improve overall postoperative outcomes. The study deals with a small postoperative group and the results cannot be generalized to other postoperative groups. This is the major limitation of this study.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

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