About the Journal

Focus, Scope and Objectives

Surgery in Geriatrics and Frailty is an open access, international journal publishing peer-reviewed original research (including prospective clinical trials, observational studies and experimental papers),  reviews (including systematic reviews and meta-analyses), guideline proposals and guidelines, case reports, letters and editorials related to surgical and perioperative care in elderly and frail patients.

As the global population ages, the demand for surgical interventions in geriatric and frail patients continues to rise. While surgical procedures can offer significant benefits for these patients, the risks associated with surgery in this population are also significant. Despite this, the standards of care for surgical interventions in geriatric and frail patients often fall short of what is necessary to ensure optimal outcomes. As comorbidityand frailty are stronger predictors of surgical outcome than age, we consider our journal to be relevant and pertinent within the scientific literature.

We welcome submissions from all specialities involved in the surgical journey of these patients, and also from nurses and allied health professionals, whose input is of paramount importance within the context of the multidisciplinary team. The editorial team is interested in receiving manuscripts which provide a holistic approach and insight into the management of this ever growing category of patients- preoperative assessment and pre-optimisation, operative considerations and outcomes, comprehensive geriatric assessment and specialist geriatric interventions, critical care support, shared decision making and realistic medicine, palliative surgical care and surgical futility, specialist nursing and allied health professional considerations, and quality of life studies.

For this reason, the intended audience for Surgery in Geriatrics and Frailty are surgeons, intensivists, anaesthesiologists, physicians/geriatricians, palliative care doctors, nurses, AHPs and clinical researchers with interests in surgery and perioperative care in this patient group. We accept submissions and will aim to involve a diverse group of people regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, religion, gender identities, disabilities, ages, or stage of career. 

Surgery in Geriatrics and Frailty is the journal of the Italian Society of Geriatric Surgery (Società Italiana di Chirurgia Geriatrica, SICG), devoted improving surgical healthcare for elderly and frail people.

Peer-review process

All research articles as well as the majority of other article types published in PAGEPress journals are subjected to peer review. This usually entails at least two independent, expert peer reviewers.

Policy

All submissions to PAGEPress journals are first checked for completeness (criteria for desk reject are available in the Guide for Authors) before being sent to an editor, who decides whether they are suitable for peer review. If an editor is on the author list or has a competing interest in a particular manuscript, another member of the Editorial Board will be assigned to oversee peer review. When making a decision, editors will consider the peer-reviewed reports, but they will not be bound by the opinions or recommendations contained in them. A single peer reviewer's or the editor's concern may result in the manuscript being rejected. Authors are notified of the editorial decision regarding their manuscript along with the peer review reports.

Peer review is done in one of two ways by PAGEPress journals:

  • Single-blind review: The authors are anonymous, but the reviewers are aware of the authors' names.
  • Double-blind review means that neither the authors nor the reviewers are aware of who has read their manuscript.

Selection

Peer reviewer selection is critical to the publication process. It is influenced by a number of things, such as knowledge, reputation, particular recommendations, conflicts of interest, and prior performance. All of these qualities are highly desirable: speed, thoroughness, sound reasoning, and collegiality.

When two independent peer reviewers cannot be obtained, the editor may act as a second reviewer or make a decision based on only one report. If acting as a second reviewer, the editor must have sufficient knowledge in the area and sign the review to ensure transparency in the peer review process.

Before accepting an invitation to review a manuscript, potential peer reviewers should notify the editor of any potential conflicts of interest. Editors' and peer reviewers' communications contain confidential information that should not be shared with third parties.

PAGEPress journals are committed to making editorial decisions and publishing them as soon as possible, and we believe that an efficient editorial process benefits both our authors and the research community as a whole. As a result, we ask reviewers to respond within the agreed-upon time frame. If reviewers anticipate a delay, we ask that they notify us so that we can keep the authors updated and, if necessary, find alternative solutions.

Diversity and equity

PAGEPress is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives for demographic diversity among peer reviewers. When inviting peer reviewers, editors are strongly encouraged to consider geographical regions, gender identities, racial and ethnic groups, and other groups.

Misconduct

False or misleading information, such as identity theft and suggesting fake peer-reviewers, will result in the manuscript being rejected, further investigation in accordance with PAGEPress' misconduct policy (https://www.pagepress.org/site/plagiarism_misconduct), and notification to the authors' institutions or employers. PAGEPress journals follow the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance about peer reviewer fraud and falsification.

Guidance

The primary goal of peer review is to provide the editor with the information needed to make a fair, evidence-based decision that adheres to the journal's editorial criteria. Review reports should also assist authors in revising their papers so that they can be accepted for publication. Reports that include a recommendation to reject the paper should explain the major flaws in the research; this will help the authors prepare their manuscript for possible re-submission (if allowed by the editor) or submission to a different journal.

A quick guide to reviewing is available here

Before submitting a report, reviewers should ask themselves the following questions:

  • How would you react if you received this report?
  • Do you find the tone offensive?
  • Is it polite and professional?
  • Do the authors or their competitors receive any unnecessary personal or antagonistic remarks?

Please keep in mind that any offensive language in your report may be removed by the editor.

Publication Frequency

All papers are published as soon as they have been accepted by adding them to the "current" volume's Table of Contents.

Article Processing Charge

Open Access publishing does have its costs. However, as a promotional activity, all articles accepted for publication in Surgery in Geriatric and Frail Patients will be published completely free of charge.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the basis that making research freely available to the public promotes a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Archiving

This journal utilizes the PKP Preservation Network, the Global LOCKSS Network and Portico to create a distributed archiving system among participating libraries and permits those libraries to create permanent archives of the journal for purposes of preservation and restoration.

Pre- and post-prints

PAGEPress allows and encourages authors to deposit both their pre- and post-prints in open-access institutional archives or repositories. The primary benefit of pre- and post-print self-archiving is reaching a larger audience, which enhances the visibility and impact of your research.