Editor in Chief's Commentary

We have recently been asked to publish an erratum and an addendum, both concerning incorrect authorships. Like most surgeons the Editor hates to repeat himself. Suffice it to say that the thoughts of The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon regarding authorships are identical with those of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)[1] and have been expressively voiced in a previous Editorial.[2] There is nothing to add.

As this, however, seems to be an ongoing issue, we shall introduce measures in the near future, which should help submitters to keep their records straight right from the start. Any change after acceptance for publication is always problematic for various reasons and exudes the smell of incorrectness. It also unnecessarily consumes the most precious resource we all have: time.

• References

• 1 International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Ethical Considerations in the Conduct and Reporting of Research: Authorship and Contributorship. http://www.icmje.org/ethical_1author.html . accessed April 29, 2013
• 2 Heinemann MK. Of ghosts, gifts and good conduct. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 59: 321