I
NSTRUCTIONS TO
A
UTHORS
8
83
3
of receipt of the manuscript, and a compact disc con-
taining the complete electronic file of the manuscript
and all accompanying figures. The disc and files should
be in a format that can be read from any standard CD
drive.
Because of the need for hard copy for review pur-
poses, as well as the cumbersome nature of certain image
files, e-mail submissions are accepted only by special
arrangement and generally are limited to authors where
mail service is unreliable. Authors who feel they must
submit via e-mail should e-mail an inquiry beforehand.
Authors must retain copies of the manuscript and
illustrations in their files. The editorial office and pub-
lisher cannot be responsible for accidental loss or dam-
age.
Authors outside the United States should, in lieu of
a stamped postcard, include an international reply
coupon available at local post offices world-wide.
Authors not receiving acknowledgment of their manu-
script within one month should inquire by e-mail.
Manuscripts should be double spaced with one-inch
margins, and pages should be numbered consecutively,
beginning with the title page. Staple each of the three
copies in the upper left-hand corner. Do not use paper
clips instead of staples.
The individual copies of the manuscript should not
be enclosed in separate envelopes or folders. Use three
paper envelopes to enclose the three figure sets. Do not
use plastic folders, plastic envelopes, or plastic wrappers
to enclose the manuscript copies or the figure sets.
It is acceptable to send the manuscript in a plastic
mailer such as provided by express services, or it may be
mailed in any standard envelope.
Each of the following components should begin on
a new page:
T
Tiittllee P
Paaggee
The title page should include
complete article title;
first name, middle initial, and last name of all
authors, with their highest academic degrees, the insti-
tution(s) at which the work was done, as well as the affil-
iations of all authors clearly indicated, using authors'
initials, and including the city and state of all institu-
tions;
name, complete mailing address, e-mail address,
telephone number, and facsimile number for reprint
requests and any other correspondence;
acknowledgment of grant support, research
funding, and any proprietary interest;
date of submission of the manuscript; and, if the
manuscript was presented at a meeting, the name of
organization, meeting location, and date on which it was
read.
For Clinical Science and Experimental Science
A
Ab
bssttrraacctt
Provide a structured abstract (150 words maximum)
in which the following sections are delineated:
B
Baacckkggrroou
un
ndd aan
ndd O
Obbjjeeccttiivvee:: Gives brief overview of
the topic and in this context states the main objective of
the study.
S
Sttu
uddyy D
Deessiiggn
n//M
Maatteerriiaallss aan
ndd M
Meetthhooddss:: Describes the
basic design, subjects, and scientific methods (for
Clinical Science articles, the title should be Study
Design/Patients and Methods).
R
Reessu
ullttss:: Gives main results of the study including
confidence intervals and exact level of statistical signifi-
cance.
C
Coon
nccllu
ussiioon
n:: States only those conclusions supported
by the data obtained, and, whenever appropriate, the
direct clinical implication of the findings (avoid specula-
tion).
Include the headings "Background and Objec-
tive," "Study Design/Materials (or Patients) and
Methods," "Results," and "Conclusions" in the text of
the abstract.
I
In
nttrrood
du
uccttiioon
n
The introduction should not be an extensive review
of the literature, but only of that portion that is pertinent
to the purpose of the study and its relationship to work
in the same field.
M
Maatteerriiaallss aan
nd
d M
Meetth
hood
dss
Materials and Methods should be written clearly and
in such detail that the work can be duplicated by others.
The technique of analysis of data should be mentioned.
For Clinical Science articles, the section should be enti-
tled Patients and Methods.
R
Reessu
ullttss
Results must be described concisely. Text, tables, and
figures must be consistent and not repetitious.
D
Diissccu
ussssiioon
n
The discussion should be concise, explaining the sig-
nificance of the findings and their relation to previous
work. It should analyze the results, indicating statistical
or clinical significance and the implications. Statements
should be supported by the internal data or by published
references. Shortcomings should be indicated. Specul-
ation is to be avoided.
For Surgical, Laser, and Imaging Reviews
Surgical and laser surgical reviews should compre-
hensively discuss all aspects of a specific disease process
