About the Journal

The British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) is a FREE [NO ARTICLE PROCESSING CHARGE]peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to advancing knowledge, research, and innovation across the full spectrum of surgical practice. Published in the United Kingdom, BJSS provides a rigorous platform for the dissemination of high-quality original research, clinical studies, surgical techniques, translational science, and evidence-based reviews that contribute to the global evolution of surgical care.

BJSS welcomes submissions from all surgical disciplines, including but not limited to general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, trauma and emergency surgery, and surgical oncology. With an emphasis on scientific rigor, methodological excellence, and clinical relevance, the journal strives to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and surgical practice.

The British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) is an international peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to the advancement of surgical science, surgical innovation, and clinical practice across all surgical specialties. The journal publishes original research, systematic reviews, technical notes, case series, and educational articles relevant to general and specialty surgery, including upper gastrointestinal, bariatric, transplant, colorectal, vascular, trauma, and minimally invasive surgery.

Committed to ethical publishing and global scientific communication, the British Journal of Surgical Science aims to support continuous professional development and contribute meaningfully to improving patient outcomes through surgical research and education.

The journal is indexed in Crossref [DOI], and archived in  LOCKSS and CLOCKSS

Minimum publishing volume is 6 articles per year 

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Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS)

The British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. BJSS follows the principles and best practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and expects authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers to adhere to these ethical standards.

Plagiarism Policy

BJSS has a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. All submitted manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism-detection software before peer review and publication.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

  • Copying text, data, figures, or tables without appropriate attribution.
  • Presenting another person's work or ideas as one's own.
  • Self-plagiarism or redundant publication without proper disclosure.
  • Unattributed reproduction of previously published material.

Manuscripts found to contain significant plagiarism may be rejected immediately. If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the journal reserves the right to publish corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions as appropriate.

Corrections

BJSS is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.

A correction may be published when:

  • An error affects the accuracy of the publication but does not invalidate the study's findings.
  • Author names, affiliations, acknowledgements, or funding information require amendment.
  • Minor factual or typographical errors require correction.

Corrections will be linked to the original article and will clearly identify the changes made.

Retractions

BJSS may retract a published article when:

  • There is clear evidence that the findings are unreliable due to misconduct or honest error.
  • Plagiarism has occurred.
  • Data fabrication or falsification is identified.
  • Duplicate or redundant publication is confirmed.
  • Unethical research practices are discovered.
  • Serious violations of publication ethics are established.

Retraction notices will remain permanently available, be linked to the original article, and clearly state the reasons for retraction. Retracted articles will remain accessible as part of the scholarly record but will be clearly marked as retracted.

Expressions of Concern

The Editor-in-Chief may issue an Expression of Concern when:

  • There is inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct.
  • An institutional investigation is pending.
  • Serious concerns have been raised regarding the integrity of a published article but sufficient evidence for retraction is not yet available.

Expressions of Concern will remain associated with the article until a final decision is reached.

Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Fabrication of data.
  • Falsification of data, images, or results.
  • Plagiarism.
  • Misrepresentation of authorship.
  • Failure to disclose conflicts of interest.
  • Unethical research involving human participants or animals.
  • Manipulation of the peer-review process.

When allegations of misconduct arise, BJSS will investigate following COPE guidelines. The journal may request explanations from authors, institutions, ethics committees, or funding bodies and may take appropriate editorial action, including manuscript rejection, correction, retraction, or notification of relevant institutions.

Complaints Procedure

BJSS welcomes complaints regarding editorial processes, publication ethics, peer review, or journal management.

Complaints should be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office and should include:

  • Full name and contact details of the complainant.
  • Details of the article or manuscript involved.
  • A clear description of the complaint.
  • Supporting evidence where available.

The journal will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and conduct an impartial investigation. All complaints will be handled confidentially and fairly.

Appeals Process

Authors may appeal editorial decisions if they believe a decision was based on a misunderstanding, procedural error, or factual inaccuracy.

Appeals must:

  • Be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief.
  • Clearly state the grounds for appeal.
  • Provide supporting evidence or rebuttal to reviewer comments.

The Editor-in-Chief may seek advice from additional editors or independent reviewers. The decision following an appeal will be considered final.

Ethical Oversight

Authors submitting research involving human participants must confirm that appropriate ethical approval was obtained and that informed consent was secured where required.

Research involving animals must comply with institutional, national, and international guidelines for animal welfare and ethical conduct.

Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest, funding sources, and relevant ethical approvals within their manuscript.

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific merit, originality, significance, and relevance of submitted manuscripts. Editorial decisions are independent of commercial, financial, or personal interests.

Post-Publication Responsibility

BJSS is committed to preserving the integrity of the academic record. Concerns raised after publication will be investigated promptly and transparently. Where necessary, corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions will be issued in accordance with established ethical publishing standards.

Contact

Questions regarding publication ethics, complaints, appeals, or research misconduct may be directed to the Editorial Office of the British Journal of Surgical Science through the journal's official contact channels.

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Peer Review Process

All manuscripts submitted to the British Journal of Surgical Science (BJSS) undergo a rigorous and transparent peer review process to ensure the highest standards of academic quality, scientific integrity, and clinical relevance.

Type of Peer Review

BJSS operates a double-blind peer review system, in which:

  • The identities of authors are not disclosed to reviewers
  • The identities of reviewers are not disclosed to authors

This ensures an unbiased and fair evaluation of all submitted manuscripts.

Review Process

Each submitted manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent expert reviewers with relevant subject expertise. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, clinical experience, and subject-specific knowledge.

Reviewers assess manuscripts based on:

  • Scientific validity and methodological rigor
  • Originality and novelty of the research
  • Clinical relevance and importance to surgical practice
  • Clarity of presentation and structure
  • Ethical compliance and research integrity

Revision Process

Authors may be required to revise their manuscripts based on reviewer feedback. The revision process is standard and may include:

  • Minor revisions (editorial or clarifications)
  • Major revisions (substantial methodological or analytical improvements)
  • Multiple rounds of revision if necessary

Authors are expected to respond to all reviewer comments in a structured and transparent manner when resubmitting revised manuscripts.

Editorial Decision

The final decision on all manuscripts rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

Editorial decisions are made based on:

  • Recommendations of independent peer reviewers
  • Scientific quality and validity of the work
  • Originality and novelty of the research
  • Clinical and academic impact
  • Relevance to the scope of the journal

The Editor-in-Chief has full authority to:

  • Accept the manuscript
  • Request further revisions
  • Reject the manuscript

This decision is made independently and is not influenced by commercial, institutional, or personal interests.

Integrity of the Process

BJSS is committed to maintaining confidentiality throughout the review process. All submitted manuscripts and reviewer reports are treated as confidential documents and are not shared beyond those directly involved in the editorial process.

The journal follows ethical publishing standards consistent with international best practices, including those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Archiving policy:

BJSS ensures long-term digital preservation of its content through LOCKSS/CLOCKSS systems and DOI registration via Crossref.