I regret to bring this news to you. On August 13, 2009, I was formally notified by Herb Niemirow, Publisher of Surgical Neurology for Elsevier, that as of January 2010, Surgical Neurology will no longer exist as a publication under that name.
After being editor of Surgical Neurology for 15 years, I appreciate the many people who have submitted articles for consideration by Surgical Neurology and its editorial board. It has been an honor to publish articles from all over the world of such fine quality and scientific importance.
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be the editor of Surgical Neurology. I have been proud that Surgical Neurology, over the past 15 years, has become widely read as an independent voice of neurosurgeons worldwide. We have given an opportunity for those from the developing world to present their scientific work and opinions. During my term as editor, the impact factor of Surgical Neurology has risen from 0.34 to 1.54, a 500% increase in the citations of the articles in Surgical Neurology by readers like you, making it one of the 4 leading neurosurgical journals in the world, and the only one not affiliated with a neurosurgical organization.
We have proposed many new ideas for neurosurgery, as a specialty, that have been adopted worldwide. We have created supplements for developing countries that have resulted in those countries having their own journals and editorial boards, with the ability to publish quality articles from their own neurosurgeons. I have been told by people all over the world how much they enjoy reading Surgical Neurology and its editorials. By sending articles, you have contributed to our success. For that, we thank you.
I am grateful to the editorial board and the reviewers over the years who have served Surgical Neurology generously with their time and with such excellent judgment.
In his August 13, 2009, letter to me, Mr Niemirow wrote:
“… Surgical Neurology is not ceasing publication. We are renaming it World Neurosurgery as of the January 2010 issue, Volume 73 Number 1. The new Editor is Michael Apuzzo and World Neurosurgery will be published in affiliation with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies ….”
Mr Niemirow continues, “… Do not accept any new manuscripts. Articles that are in review should continue through the review process, short of a final editorial decision on acceptance. Those decisions will be made by the new Editor …. If you receive queries from authors you can either forward them to me (H.Niemirow@elsevier.com) until the new editorial office is open or you can tell them that their questions will be answered by the new Editor….”
There has been unanimous support from the associate editors and many readers to continue a publication as an independent journal for neurosurgery. Many options are under consideration, but no decision has been made at this time.
The present editorial office of Surgical Neurology will close on December 31, 2009.
Should you wish to contact me personally, I can be reached at jamesausman@mac.com
We wish each one of you all the best for your continued success in the future.
With kindest regards, I remain.
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