Submissions

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Author Guidelines

The Journal of the European Society of Surgery (JESS) is the official open access journal of the European Society of Surgery. The journal publishes high-quality scholarly work that advances surgical science, clinical practice, education, and research across all surgical disciplines.

Scope

JESS welcomes submissions that demonstrate scientific rigor, clinical relevance, and ethical integrity in all areas of surgery.

Manuscript Categories

  • Original Research Articles
  • Review Articles (systematic reviews to follow PRISMA guidelines)
  • Clinical Case Reports and Case Series
  • Technical Notes and Surgical Innovations
  • Editorials and Expert Perspectives (usually invited)
  • Letters to the Editor

Manuscript Preparation

  • Manuscripts must be written in clear academic English
  • Abstracts are required for all article types except Letters
  • Authors must provide 3–6 keywords for indexing
  • Tables and figures should be clearly labeled, referenced, and of high quality
  • Patient anonymity must be maintained in all clinical images

Referencing

  • References must follow the Vancouver (ICMJE) referencing style
  • Citations are numbered consecutively in the order of appearance
  • DOIs should be included where available

Reporting Standards

Authors are encouraged to follow established reporting guidelines:

  • CONSORT (randomized trials)
  • STROBE (observational studies)
  • PRISMA (systematic reviews)
  • CARE (case reports)

Peer Review

All submissions undergo:

  • Initial editorial screening
  • Double-blind peer review by independent experts
  • Final decision by the Editorial Board

Decisions are based on scientific merit, clarity, relevance, and ethical standards.

Open Access

JESS is a fully open access journal, providing immediate and unrestricted access to all published content with proper attribution.

Publication Frequency

The journal is published quarterly, with four issues per year. Special issues may be published as approved by the Editorial Board.

Submission

Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system, where authors can track the review process electronically.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

The Journal of the European Society of Surgery (JESS) applies a fixed Article Processing Charge (APC) of Standard Fee Euro 500 (Launching offer Euro 250) per accepted article to support high-quality editorial processes and sustainable open-access publishing.

The APC applies uniformly to all article types, including original research articles, reviews, case reports, case series, technical notes, editorials, and letters to the editor.

APC Policy Highlights

  • The APC is fixed and non-negotiable for all authors
  • No waivers or discounts are offered
  • The charge is applied only after final acceptance
  • Editorial decisions are independent of APC payment and based solely on scientific merit and relevance

Non-Profit Positioning

JESS operates on a non-profit, cost-recovery model. Article Processing Charges (APCs) are not designed to maximize revenue, but to sustain the journal’s academic mission, editorial quality, and social commitments. This positioning clearly distinguishes JESS from commercial publishing models and neutralizes common criticism surrounding APC-based publishing.

APC Waivers and Equity Policy

JESS will implement a formal APC waiver or reduction policy for:

  • Authors from low- and lower-middle-income countries
  • Early-career researchers without institutional funding
  • Research addressing humanitarian surgery, global surgery, and health equity

This policy aligns JESS with the core values of the European Society of Surgery and internationally recognized principles of equity in global surgery.

Ring-Fenced Funds and Annual Reporting

JESS commits to transparent financial governance. A public annual financial summary will be prepared, detailing:

  • Total APC income
  • Administrative and operational costs
  • Funds allocated to support European Society of Surgery activities

All accounts will be independently audited, and funds will be ring-fenced exclusively for academic, educational, and social purposes.

Visiting Scholarship Fund

Income generated through APCs will contribute to a dedicated Visiting Scholarship Fund supporting:

  • Short-term observerships and academic exchanges
  • Travel grants for attendance at ESS congresses and educational events

Priority will be given to students and trainees from under-resourced settings, with selection based on academic merit and potential impact.

Editorial Independence Guarantee

JESS explicitly guarantees full editorial independence. Payment of APCs or membership on the editorial or governing boards will never influence editorial decisions. All submissions will undergo blinded, independent peer review based solely on scientific merit. This principle is fundamental to the credibility and integrity of JESS.

Predictable APC Roadmap

Any future increase in APCs will be gradual, publicly announced at least one year in advance, and benchmarked against comparable non-profit society journals. This ensures predictability for authors and institutions and prevents sudden financial barriers to publication.

Ethics and Social Responsibility Statement

JESS affirms its commitment to equity in academic publishing, rejects exploitative APC models, and values scholarship with meaningful social impact alongside scientific excellence.

The journal prioritizes research that contributes to education, equity, and the advancement of surgical care globally, in keeping with the long-standing ethical traditions of the European Society of Surgery.

Open Access Commitment

JESS is a fully open access journal, providing immediate and permanent access to all published articles without subscription or access barriers.

Transparency

The APC structure reflects the journal’s commitment to ethical publishing, transparency, and long-term academic sustainability as the official journal of the European Society of Surgery.

Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to confirm that their manuscript complies with all of the following requirements. Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines may be returned to authors for correction prior to peer review.

Before Submitting Your Manuscript, Please Ensure That:

Originality and Exclusivity

  • The submission has not been previously published, nor is it under consideration by another journal.

  • Any closely related manuscripts (including preprints) are disclosed and appropriately cited.

Manuscript File and Format

  • The manuscript is prepared in an acceptable file format (Microsoft Word preferred).

  • The text is double-spaced, with standard margins and a readable font.

  • Pages are numbered consecutively.

Title Page

  • The title page includes:

    • Full manuscript title

    • Names of all authors

    • Institutional affiliations

    • Corresponding author’s email address

  • Author details are removed from the main manuscript file to ensure double-blind peer review.

Abstract and Keywords

  • An abstract is provided according to article type requirements.

  • The abstract accurately reflects the content of the manuscript.

  • 3–6 relevant keywords are included to support indexing and discoverability.

Figures, Tables, and Illustrations

  • All figures and tables are cited in the text in correct numerical order.

  • Figures and tables include clear titles and legends.

  • Images are of sufficient quality and resolution.

  • Permission has been obtained for any previously published material.

References

  • References are formatted according to the journal’s citation style (Vancouver Style).

  • All references cited in the text appear in the reference list and vice versa.

  • DOIs are included where available.

Ethical Compliance

  • Ethical approval details are provided for studies involving human or animal subjects.

  • Informed consent has been obtained where applicable.

  • Patient anonymity and confidentiality are fully protected.

Conflict of Interest and Funding

  • All authors have disclosed any potential conflicts of interest.

  • Sources of funding or financial support are clearly stated.

  • If no conflicts exist, this is explicitly declared.

Authorship and Contributions

  • All listed authors meet authorship criteria.

  • Contributions of each author are accurately described.

  • All authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Open Access and Copyright

  • Authors understand that the journal is fully open access.

  • Authors agree to publication under a Creative Commons license.

  • Copyright remains with the authors, with appropriate attribution.

Language and Clarity

  • The manuscript is written in clear, professional academic English.

  • The text has been carefully reviewed for grammar, spelling, and clarity.

Cover Letter

  • A cover letter is included, briefly explaining:

    • The significance of the work

    • Its relevance to the journal’s scope

    • Confirmation of originality and ethical compliance

Final Confirmation

By submitting this manuscript, the authors confirm that all submission requirements have been met and that the work complies with the journal’s editorial, ethical, and publication policies.

Articles

Section default policy

Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles publish full-length reports of original clinical, translational, and experimental research in surgical sciences.

Manuscripts must present novel findings supported by robust methodology and clear clinical relevance. Submissions should follow standard scientific reporting formats and include appropriate ethical approvals where applicable.

All manuscripts submitted to this section undergo double-blind peer review. Editorial decisions are based on scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to surgical practice.

Review Articles

Review Articles publish comprehensive narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that synthesize current evidence and provide authoritative insights into surgical practice and research.

All submissions are subject to double-blind peer review and are evaluated for methodological rigor, clinical relevance, and completeness of literature coverage.

Clinical Case Reports and Case Series

Clinical Case Reports and Case Series publish concise research articles presenting focused findings, preliminary results, or novel observations of clear relevance to surgical practice or research.

Submissions undergo double-blind peer review and are assessed for originality, clarity, and scientific validity.

Technical Notes and Surgical Innovations

Technical Notes and Surgical Innovations publish clinically significant cases that provide novel insights, rare presentations, unique complications, or important lessons relevant to surgical practice.

All case reports are peer reviewed and must include informed consent where applicable.

Editorials and Expert Perspectives

Editorials and Expert Perspectives high-quality clinical, radiological, or intraoperative images of educational value, accompanied by a brief descriptive text highlighting key learning points.

Submissions are peer reviewed for clarity, relevance, and educational significance.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor provide a forum for scholarly discussion of articles published in the Journal of the European Society of Surgery and for brief communications on topics of clinical, scientific, or professional interest.

Letters should be concise, evidence-based, and constructive. They may comment on recently published articles or address broader issues relevant to surgical

Copyright Notice

Authors retain copyright of their work and grant the Journal for European Society of Surgery the right to publish and distribute the article. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere. Published articles are distributed under a Creative Commons license with appropriate attribution.

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.