PONE-D-22-05245An international consensus for mitigation of the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on laparoscopic trainingPLOS ONE

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Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments (if provided):

The reviewers have expressed positive comments regarding your article, raising only few concerns. Considering this point, I invite authors to perform the required minor revisions.

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

1. Does the manuscript provide a valid rationale for the proposed study, with clearly identified and justified research questions?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Is the protocol technically sound and planned in a manner that will lead to a meaningful outcome and allow testing the stated hypotheses?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Is the methodology feasible and described in sufficient detail to allow the work to be replicable?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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6. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The Authors should be congratulated for their efforts in devising an international survey and consensus on factors contributing to disruption of surgical training during the Covid19 pandemic, and in producing a protocol for optimization of laparoscopic training. The primary study aim is to establish a Delphi consensus among trainers on how to recover lost training opportunities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary study aim is to inform future society guidelines about the recovery of surgical training before and after the pandemic. The manuscript is well written and is of great interest to the global community of general surgeons. In my opinion, it may have a beneficial impact on the education of future trainees and a high potential for article citation.

Reviewer #2: I read with great interest the Manuscript titled “An international consensus for mitigation of the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on laparoscopic training”, which falls within the aim of this Journal.

In my honest opinion, the topic is interesting enough to attract the readers’ attention. Methodology is accurate and conclusions are supported by the data analysis. Nevertheless, authors should clarify some point and improve the discussion citing relevant and novel key articles about the topic.

Authors should consider the following recommendations:

- Inclusion/exclusion criteria should be better clarified.

- The authors have not adequately highlighted the strengths and limitations of their study. I suggest clarifying these points

- Does this manuscript conform the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) network guidelines? It would be mandatory to declare about this element.

- Was this study registered? I could not find any information about this point.

- According to novel pieces of evidence, 3-Dimensional versus 2-Dimensional Laparoscopy may have a significant on the quality of training. I invite the authors to discuss this element referring to: PMID: 27046747; PMID: 35398529.

- Limitations on training during the Covid-19 pandemic may have severely impacted the opportunity to learn basic clinical and surgical skills. A potential strategy for overcoming these limitation was offered by simulation activities, which allowed trainees to receive basic training in our discipline and prevented an additional “lockdown” of their learning and development of skills. I recommend to discuss these points (author may refer to: PMID: 34651559; PMID: 33682831).

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Prof. Luigi Bonavina

Reviewer #2: Yes: Salvatore Insinga

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An international consensus for mitigation of the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on laparoscopic training

PONE-D-22-05245R1

Dear Dr. Yiasemidou,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Antonio Simone Laganà, M.D., Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

I carefully evaluated the revised version of this manuscript.

Authors have performed the required changes, improving significantly the quality of the paper.

Reviewers' comments: