The Journal of Aesthetic Surgery is committed to preserving the integrity of the scholarly record. This policy outlines the procedures for issuing corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern in accordance with international best practices and the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Corrections (Erratum and Corrigendum)

When a Correction is Issued

• Errors that affect the accuracy of the article but do not invalidate its overall conclusions.
• Factual mistakes in author names, affiliations, figures, tables, or references.
• Production errors introduced during typesetting or publication.

Types of Corrections

• Erratum – Correction of errors introduced by the publisher.
• Corrigendum – Correction of errors made by the authors.

All corrections will be clearly identified, linked to the original article, and permanently accessible.

Retractions

Grounds for Retraction

• Evidence of unreliable findings due to fabrication, falsification, or major methodological error.
• Confirmed plagiarism or duplicate publication.
• Unethical research practices or violation of ethical standards.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly affect the integrity of the work.
• Serious authorship disputes that cannot be resolved.

Retraction Procedure

• The Editorial Board will conduct a formal investigation.
• Authors will be given the opportunity to respond.
• The retraction notice will clearly state the reason for retraction.
• The original article will remain online and clearly marked as “Retracted” to preserve the scholarly record.

Retractions are intended to correct the literature and maintain transparency, not to punish authors.

Expressions of Concern

• Issued when there is inconclusive evidence of misconduct.
• Issued when an institutional investigation is ongoing.
• Used when serious questions have been raised but not yet resolved.

An Expression of Concern will remain associated with the article until a final decision is reached.

Article Removal

• Content that is defamatory or unlawful.
• Legal requirements necessitating removal.
• Serious breaches of patient confidentiality.

In cases of removal, a notice explaining the reason for removal will replace the original content.

Appeals Process

• Authors may submit a written appeal with supporting documentation.
• Appeals will be reviewed by an independent member of the Editorial Board.
• The Editor-in-Chief will make the final decision.

Record Integrity and Transparency

All post-publication updates will be clearly labeled and permanently linked to the original article. The Journal of Aesthetic Surgery maintains DOI continuity and ensures transparency in all editorial decisions affecting the published record.