Guidelines for the authors

Submission of a manuscript implies that the work described has not been published before (except in the format of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review or thesis); moreover that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that its publication. The works of clinical or experimental topics “must comply with Helsinki Declaration principles”.
Each manuscript has to be sent in double copy on paper, together with a CD ROM with the text files of a word processor (preferred are the Microsoft’s, while are discarded PDS copies), to facilitate the editorial treatment and eventually to make necessary corrections.

The languages of publication are indifferently Italian or English, both of professional quality. On request of the Authors, and at their expense, the Editorial staff can act as intermediary for a professional translation or text revision of english from language experts on the field.
For research and original works english language is preferred, and then the text must be completed with a wide and detailed italian “Riassunto”, instead of, or adjunt to, the usual short Summary. Every manuscript therefore, whether to be published in Italian or in english, must be accompanied by an Italian “RIASSUNTO”.
All the manuscripts of either language must have an English ABSTRACT, about two pages long (minimum 180 maximum 250 words), of structured kind. (EXAMPLE - Aim: 1 sentence; Material of study: 1-2 phrases; Results: 1-2 phrases; Discussion: 1 phrase on results, 2-3 phrases on references; Conclusions: 1-2 sentences). Key Words must be indicated (generally 1 to three).

All the above material must be sent whether directly to the DIRECTOR of the journal, or to one of the REFERENTS of one Italian University Faculty (addresses on “Chi siamo”). In the Article, besides the identification and institutional notes of each Author, the Corresponding Author must be pointed out with his or her address, phone numbers and especially if possible the e-mail address. In a separate envelope names, addresses, phone numbers and fiscal dates of each Author, and if it is the case, notes to the papers (acknowledgements, grants and so on).

The text of the manuscript, typed on double space on a single side, have to be organized according to the following scheme: a) Introduction (with bibliographic references if it is the case); b) Material and Method (or case experience); c) Results; d) Discussion and commentary;; e) Conclusions; f) Summary; g) References, in the text citation order.
ICONOGRAPHY of the work – photographs, drawings, graphs, tables – should be in black and white. All the images should be sent both on paper and on a Floppy 3’5 Disk or a CD-Rom, with subtitles on a individual sheet. It is recommended that both photographs and imaging radiograms be of optimal quality.
Tables, drawings and graphs must be as simple as possible. Tables, pointed with roman figures, should be sent on separate paper sheets, but also in Floppy Disk or CD-Rom.

On the back side of each photograph the name of the first Author must be pointed, together with the number of the photograph and the upper side. Every writing added on the same photograph must be in china ink or with transferred characters, or better inserted with computer. The subtitles should be written on separate sheet with easy reference to the figure of the corresponding picture.

Colour pictures will be only exceptionally accepted for publication, on direction discretion, and only if truly indispensable to a better demonstration; otherwise they will be published in black and white; anyways the original picture must be a Slide or a paper photograph, but necessarily included also in the CD-Rom.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES have to be cited according to citation order in the text (not in alphabetic order on the name of the first Author) pointed with exponent reference number.
REFERENCES have to be limited to the original papers effectively cited in the text, possibly avoiding Textbooks. Of each reference the names of all Authors (or at least the first three and Al) have to be cited, with the surname preceding the initials of the name, separating the various Authors with a comma; the article’s title should be that of the original language: the Journal will be cited with the official international abbreviations (see PubMed). Once on Index Medicus, following this order: year of publication, volume number (issue), number of first and last page – this one cited for only the two last figures.
If either of these indications are lacking a review of the paper will be required, and notwithstanding its eventual approval for publication, it will be published only when completed from the Corresponding Author.
Example:
PRESSMAN J, SIMON MB: Experimental evidence of direct com­munications between lymph-nodes and veins. Surg Gynec Obst , 1961; 113: 537-48
or:
FOX R, ADAMSON T: Human lymphocyte cell surface antigens defi­ned by monoclonal antibodies. In: Nakamura R (ed): New directions in clinical laboratory assays. New York: Masson Press, 1984; 265-95.

The Direction affirms its right to do, if necessary, some limited adjustements to the text and to images for editorial reasons, and to better the understanding of some articles, without alter the substance of the work. On galley proofs the Corresponding Author will have the possibility to control and agree the final text.

Authors are the only responsible of data and conclusions of their work. The article that are debatable can be accompanied from a “commentary” promoted by the Scientific Commettee of the journal. Comments of other readers will be published on “Letters to the Director” section.
The copyright of published works is reserved to the Journal. On each published paper will be reported arrival data, and that of its acceptation. Manuscripts and iconographic material, even if not accepted for publication, will be not given back.
The proofs of accepted manuscripts will be sent to the Corresponding Author and should be returned to the Editor within 15 days, to avoid not expected delays for publication.
To the Corresponding Author, if subscriber to the journal, the Editor grants two free pages of the print, excluding tables and pictures, and the invoice of tree copies of the issue containing the paper.
It is highly hoped that any Author that publishes on Annali Italiani di Chirurgia be also a subscriber to the journal.