Version of Record
Material changes must not be made silently. A Correction, Retraction, Expression of Concern, or another clearly identified notice may be issued where appropriate, and notices remain linked to the original article.
Minor and Substantive Corrections
Minor production or presentation errors that do not affect meaning may be addressed through an appropriate transparent process. A substantive error affecting interpretation, attribution, data presentation, methods, conclusions, or reliability normally requires a linked correction notice rather than a silent change.
Author and Publisher Corrections
Authors should report discovered errors promptly and explain their origin and effect. Errors introduced during production may require a publisher correction; author-supplied errors may require an author correction or another notice. The description should reflect what happened rather than obscure responsibility.
Retractions and Expressions of Concern
A retracted article is not silently deleted or replaced. A retraction notice explains the action as appropriately as evidence and confidentiality permit. An Expression of Concern may be used while a serious issue remains unresolved.
Withdrawal Before Publication
A submitted or accepted manuscript may be withdrawn before publication through an authorized process. The request should come from the appropriate author and account for co-author agreement and any unresolved integrity or legal issue. Withdrawal does not require the journal to erase records needed for accountability, security, or investigation.
Post-publication Assessment
New evidence may prompt requests for data, ethics or consent documentation, image review, expert advice, author responses, or appropriate institutional cooperation. Action depends on the reliability and effect of the concern, not solely on whether misconduct has been formally established.
Clinical and Patient-safety Concerns
Where clinical or patient-safety concerns arise, editorial action may be taken according to evidence and applicable policy.