Guidelines for Submitting Articles

Types of Article

Editorial
Editorials are short articles or comments concerning a specific paper in the Journal or a topical issue in the field. Although editorials are normally invited, unsolicited editorials may be submitted and will be given due consideration.

Format guide

• Word limit of main text: 1,200 words, no section headings
• References: Up to 15
• Tables/Figures: 2  maximum

Review Article
These should aim to provide the reader with a balanced overview of an important and topical subject in the field. They should cover aspects of a topic in which scientific consensus exists as well as aspects that remain controversial and are the subject of ongoing scientific research. All articles and data sources reviewed should include information about the specific type of study or analysis, population, intervention, exposure, and tests or outcomes. All articles or data sources should be selected systematically for inclusion in the review and critically evaluated.

Format guide

• Abstract: Up to 250 words, unstructured (no subheadings)
• Word limit of main text: 4,000 words  (excluding abstract and references)
• References: Up to 100
• Tables/Figures: 6 maximum

Original Article
These articles typically include randomized trials, intervention studies, studies of screening and diagnostic tests, laboratory and animal studies, cohort studies, cost-effectiveness analyses, case-control studies, and surveys with high response rates, which represent new and significant contributions to the field. Sections should involve: Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conflicts of Interest Statement (if any), Acknowledgments (if any), and References.

Format guide (no more than 6 authors).

• Abstract: up to 250 words. Structured, including "Objectives, Materials and Methods, Results, Conclusion".
• Word limit of main text: 4,000 words (excluding abstract and references)
• References: up to 60
• Tables/Figures: 6  maximum (Data in text should not be repeated extensively in tables or figures)

Short Communication
These reports should be concise presentations of research results or novel techniques or use of equipment, pioneering instruments or advanced surgical skills.
The editors reserve the right to decide what constitutes a Short Communication.

Format guide

• Abstract: up to 150 words. Unstructured.
• Word limit of main text: 2,000 words (excluding abstract and references)
• References: up to 20
• Tables/Figures: 2 maximum

Case Report
These are short discussions of a case or case series with unique features not previously described that make an important teaching point or scientific observation. They may describe rare cases, complications or morbidities from an educational perspective, or new information on diseases of interest. Section headings should be: Abstract (unstructured), Introduction, Case Report, Discussion, Acknowledgments (if any), and References. All the components that are required in Abstract (unstructured) based on the reporting guidelines (CARE).

Format guide

• Abstract: up to 150 words, unstructured
• Word limit of main text: 1,500 words  (excluding abstract and references)
• References: up to 20
• Tables/Figures: 2  maximum

Perspective
A short article of current interest of the minimally invasive community; by invitation only.

Format guide

• Word limit of main text: 2,000 words, no abstract
• References: up to 40
• Tables/Figures:  4 maximum

Video Article (Work presented in Video Form)
This type of manuscript requires the author(s) to submit a structured article (Objective, Design, Patient, Interventions, Conclusion), along with a Video. The Video must be 4 to 6 minutes in length, must cover all elements found in a written manuscript, must have narration must be in English. A Video Article submission may contain images, graphs and/or statistics that support or demonstrate the findings of the Video Article.

Format guide

• Word limit of main text: 500 words
• Figure: 1 (necessary and maximum)

Clinical Image
These comprise clinical images, photographs or diagnostic tests with educational value (such as ultrasound scans, MRI films, endoscopic photographs, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, photomicrographs, DNA blots, or pictures of molecular studies). The report should be of a specific case and focus on the image(s).
The use of multimedia components such as additional images or video clips is acceptable.

Format guide (no more than 4 authors)

• Word limit of main text: 800 words
• References: up to 10
• Tables/Figures: 4  maximum

Letter to the Editor
Brief constructive comments in response to previously published GMIT articles or relating to a topical subject in the field, as well as other communications of general interest are welcome. They are edited, sometimes extensively, to sharpen their focus. They may be sent for peer review at the discretion of GMIT Editors.

Format guide

• Word limit of main text: 500 words (no section headings)
• Abstract: No abstract is required for this type of manuscript
• References: Up to 10
• Tables/Figures: 2  maximum