SURGICON is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in academic publishing. This Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement outlines the responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and organizers to ensure the ethical publication of all materials included in the SURGICON Abstract Book.

All abstracts submitted for inclusion in the SURGICON Abstract Book undergo a structured editorial and peer-review process coordinated by the Scientific Committee. This process is designed to ensure that each contribution meets the highest standards of academic integrity, scientific quality, and ethical responsibility. The editorial team is committed to providing a fair, transparent, and unbiased evaluation of all submissions, and all parties involved are expected to act with professionalism, confidentiality, and respect for scholarly rigor.

150955766274. promotes a culture of responsible authorship and rigorous peer review, recognizing the importance of ethical publishing practices in advancing surgical knowledge and medical education. Any deviations from these standards will be addressed seriously and in accordance with internationally recognized procedures.
              
              We fully comply with the Code of Conduct and the Best Practice Guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All parties involved in the publication process are expected to comply with these internationally recognized standards. Ethical issues that might be raised by readers of the journal will be examined by the editorial office following procedures in line with COPE guidelines. COPE guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/getting-started/what-publication-ethics

Any concerns or complaints regarding ethical misconduct should be reported to the SURGICON Scientific Committee at scientific@surgicon.ro and will be handled confidentially and in accordance with COPE procedures.

1. Duties of Authors

- Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their work is original and free from plagiarism. Any use of the work and/or words of others must be appropriately cited or quoted. Submitting the same abstract to multiple conferences or journals without disclosure is considered unethical.

- Authorship: All listed authors must have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the submitted work. All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be acknowledged appropriately.

- Ghostwriting and Guest Authorship: The use of ghostwriters (individuals who contribute substantially to a manuscript without acknowledgment) is strictly prohibited. All those who made significant contributions to the submitted work must be listed as authors. Conversely, individuals who did not participate in the research or writing process should not be included as authors ("guest authorship"). All authors must take public responsibility for the content of the abstract.

- Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that may influence the submitted work. All sources of funding should be clearly stated.

- Accuracy and Integrity: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the data and must be prepared to provide supporting documentation if requested. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is strictly prohibited.

2. Duties of Editors and the Scientific Committee

- Fair Evaluation: Submissions are evaluated solely on academic merit, relevance, clarity, and originality, regardless of race, gender, religion, institutional affiliation, or nationality of the authors.

- Confidentiality: Editors and reviewers are required to maintain confidentiality throughout the submission and review process. No information will be disclosed to anyone other than those directly involved in the process.

- Handling Misconduct: Editors and the organizing committee take all allegations of research or publication misconduct seriously. Suspected ethical violations will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines and may result in rejection or retraction of the abstract.

3. Duties of Reviewers

- Contribution to Editorial Decision: Reviewers assist the editors in making editorial decisions and may offer constructive feedback to improve the quality of the submissions.

- Confidentiality: All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents and must not be shared or discussed with others without permission.

- Objectivity and Constructive Criticism: Reviews should be conducted objectively and without personal bias. Criticism should be professional and aimed at enhancing the quality of the abstract.

- Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should decline to review submissions where they have a conflict of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors or affiliated institutions.

4. Retraction and Correction Policy

SURGICON reserves the right to withdraw or correct abstracts found to violate ethical standards after publication. Retractions or corrections will be made transparently and in accordance with COPE’s retraction guidelines, ensuring accountability and scholarly integrity. The author will be informed regarding the status of their submission.

5. Copyright and Licensing

Authors retain copyright of their submitted abstracts but grant SURGICON the non-exclusive right to publish and distribute them in print and digital formats. Any reuse of material must acknowledge the original source.

6. Compliance with Ethical Standards

All research involving human subjects, animals, or patient data must adhere to applicable ethical standards. Authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained and that the study was approved by the appropriate ethics committee or institutional review board, where applicable.

7. Collective Responsibility and Commitment to Ethical Publishing

By submitting an abstract, authors acknowledge their responsibility to uphold these principles and agree to comply with the ethical guidelines described in this document. Similarly, reviewers and editors are expected to act with integrity, impartiality, and respect for confidentiality throughout the editorial process.

Upholding ethical standards is essential not only to maintain the academic value of SURGICON, but also to foster a research environment that supports innovation, accountability, and the advancement of surgical education. We remain committed to addressing any ethical concerns promptly and transparently, in line with COPE guidance, to safeguard the quality and reputation of the congress.

This statement may be updated periodically to reflect new ethical standards, regulatory requirements, or internal policy changes. The latest version will always be available on the official SURGICON website.