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The Journal of Neurological Surgery (searched as “neurological surgery journal” or “journal of neurological surgery”) is a peer-reviewed periodical family published by Georg Thieme Verlag KG. Spanning clinical neuroscience and what is surgery as an academic specialty, it comprises distinct sub-journals: Part A: Central European Neurosurgery, Part B: Skull Base, and Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports. This guide reviews the organizational structure, editorial scope, citation metrics, and submission guidelines for academic neurosurgeons and research administrators.
What It Is
The Journal of Neurological Surgery is a consolidated international publication venue covering cranial, spinal, and peripheral nerve surgery. In 2012, Thieme unified several long-standing surgical titles under the Journal of Neurological Surgery banner, preserving regional surgical heritages while streamlining international editorial workflows. Specifically, Part A continues the academic lineage of Zentralblatt für Neurochirurgie (founded in 1936), while Part B evolved from the multidisciplinary journal Skull Base.
Published bimonthly, the journal disseminates original clinical investigations, surgical technique evaluations, operative video symposia, and clinical reviews. It provides an international forum for exchanging validated surgical techniques, stereotactic protocols, and clinical outcomes.
Who Runs It and What It Covers
The journal is published by Georg Thieme Verlag KG (Stuttgart and New York). Editorial leadership is divided across distinct editorial boards:
- Part A: Central European Neurosurgery: Led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. med. Veit Rohde (University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany). Part A serves as the official organ of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC) and the Swiss Society of Neurosurgery, with affiliations including the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery. It publishes 6 issues per year.
- Part B: Skull Base: Directed by Editors-in-Chief Dennis H. Kraus, MD, FACS, and Michael J. Link, MD. Part B is the official journal of the North American Skull Base Society (NASBS), the British Skull Base Society, and affiliated international bodies. It publishes 6 issues per year.
- Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports: Guided by Editors-in-Chief Christopher S. Graffeo, MD, and Marilene B. Wang, MD. Published quarterly as a Gold Open Access journal, it focuses on surgical case reports and technical notes.
Editorial Scope and Subject Disciplines
- Part A Scope: General and operative neurosurgery, microsurgery, minimally invasive surgical corridors, spinal biomechanics, neuro-trauma, pediatric neurosurgery, endoscopic navigation, stereotactic-guided surgery, and endovascular procedures.
- Part B Scope: Multidisciplinary cranial base pathology bridging neurosurgery, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, and plastic surgery. Priority areas include acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, cranial base meningiomas, chordomas, and complex reconstructive techniques.
Indexing and Impact Metrics
Both primary parts are indexed in MEDLINE, PubMed, Clarivate’s Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Scopus, Embase, and Current Contents (Clinical Medicine):
- Part A Metrics: Journal Impact Factor of 0.9, 5-Year Impact Factor of 2.2, CiteScore of 2.2. Print ISSN: 2193-6315; Online eISSN: 2193-6323.
- Part B Metrics: Journal Impact Factor of 0.8, 5-Year Impact Factor of 1.4. Print ISSN: 2193-6331; Online eISSN: 2193-634X.
How to Search or Use It
Navigating the journal on Thieme Connect and managing submissions involves standard platform procedures:
- Access the Platform Portal: Open the Thieme E-Journals catalog via Thieme Connect to reach the main journal landing page.
- Execute Subject Queries: Input clinical keywords, operative procedures, or author names into the main search console.
- Apply Journal Sub-Filters: Select either “Part A: Central European Neurosurgery” or “Part B: Skull Base” to separate general neurosurgical reports from skull base studies.
- Refine by Article Category: Use sidebar facet filters to isolate article types such as “Original Article”, “Review Article”, “Technical Note”, or multimedia “E-Videos”.
- Verify Citation Identifiers: Review article metadata, abstracts, and the registered Crossref DOI to export citations in RIS, BibTeX, or EndNote formats.
- Confirm Access Entitlements: Check full-text access through institutional subscriptions or locate Gold Open Access papers denoted by open-access icons.
- Submit via ScholarOne: Access the Thieme Author Lounge for formatting rules and submit manuscripts through ScholarOne Manuscripts, including mandatory ethics board statements and patient consent.
Strengths and Limits
- Strengths:
- Rigorous, subspecialty-specific peer review coordinated with surgical societies including the DGNC and NASBS.
- Comprehensive bibliographic indexing across MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.
- Integrated operative videography (“E-Videos”) supplementing surgical technique articles.
- No author submission fees or page charges for standard subscription publishing, alongside open access options supported by institutional transformative agreements.
- Limits:
- Moderate Journal Impact Factors (0.8–0.9) relative to major general titles such as Journal of Neurosurgery.
- Optional hybrid article processing charge (APC) of approximately $3,260 USD (€3,050 EUR) for Parts A and B, which requires institutional funding support for open access.
- Strict partition between general neurosurgery and skull base anatomy, requiring accurate sub-journal selection prior to submission.
Alternatives
Authors evaluating neurosurgical publication venues can compare the Journal of Neurological Surgery with primary alternative peer-reviewed titles:
| Journal Title | Publisher & Society | Primary Scope | Access Model | Frequency & Indexing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal of Neurological Surgery (Parts A & B) | Thieme / DGNC, NASBS | Microsurgery, skull base surgery, minimally invasive and endovascular techniques | Hybrid (optional OA APC ~$3,260 USD; Reports Gold OA ~$1,525 USD) | Bimonthly; MEDLINE, SCIE, Scopus |
| Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) | JNS Publishing Group / AANS | Comprehensive clinical neurosurgery, clinical trials, operative series | Hybrid (subscription with Gold OA option) | Monthly; MEDLINE, SCIE, Scopus |
| Neurosurgery | Wolters Kluwer (LWW) / CNS | Clinical operative neurosurgery, technical series, practice guidelines | Hybrid (subscription with Gold OA option) | Monthly; MEDLINE, SCIE, Scopus |
| World Neurosurgery | Elsevier / WFNS | Global neurosurgery, clinical series, international practice | Hybrid (subscription with Gold OA option) | Semimonthly / Monthly; MEDLINE, SCIE, Scopus |
| Neurosurgical Focus | JNS Publishing Group / AANS | Thematic, single-topic monthly reviews in neurosurgery | Fully Open Access (Gold OA) | Monthly; MEDLINE, PMC, Scopus |
| Acta Neurochirurgica | Springer Nature / EANS | European and international neurosurgical clinical trials and surgical techniques | Hybrid (subscription with Gold OA option) | Monthly; MEDLINE, SCIE, Scopus |
FAQ
How long does it typically take to recover from brain surgery in the hospital?
In peer-reviewed neurosurgical literature, the typical postoperative hospital stay for uncomplicated elective supratentorial craniotomy is 3 to 7 days, with clinical registries reporting a median stay of 4 days. Patients routinely spend the first 24 to 48 hours in an intensive care or step-down unit for continuous neurological monitoring before transferring to an inpatient ward. Inpatient recovery extends beyond 7 to 14 days for complex skull base procedures, posterior fossa surgery, or when clinical complications arise.
What is a parieto-temporal craniotomy?
A parieto-temporal craniotomy is a neurosurgical operative approach where a temporary bone flap spanning portions of the parietal and temporal bones is elevated to access intracranial lesions in the middle cranial fossa, lateral ventricles, or temporoparietal cortex. Published literature indicates this approach is utilized for resecting intra-axial neoplasms, clipping middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms, or performing decompressive craniectomy. Critical anatomical landmarks include preserving the superficial temporal artery and safeguarding major venous drainage through the vein of Labbé.
How common is infection after brain surgery?
In modern peer-reviewed neurosurgical cohorts, the reported incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) following elective craniotomy ranges between 1.5% and 5.0%. Clinical surveillance systems classify these events into superficial incisional, deep subgaleal, or organ/space infections involving cranial bone flap osteomyelitis or meningitis. Published clinical studies demonstrate that prolonged operative duration, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, repeat re-operations, and emergency procedures significantly elevate infection risks.
How to sleep after brain surgery?
Clinical neurosurgical recovery protocols recommend sleeping in a supine position with the head of the bed elevated at approximately 30 degrees during initial post-discharge weeks. Head elevation promotes intracranial venous drainage, reducing postoperative cerebral edema, facial swelling, and intracranial pressure. Clinical discharge guidelines advise avoiding sleeping prone (on the stomach) and preventing direct mechanical pressure on the incision or healing bone flap by resting on the unoperated side or back.
What is the difference between Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A and Part B?
The Journal of Neurological Surgery divides its publication pipeline by anatomical focus: Part A: Central European Neurosurgery covers general neurosurgery, spine surgery, endoscopy, and stereotactic procedures, whereas Part B: Skull Base focuses exclusively on multidisciplinary cranial base pathology, complex operative approaches, and head and neck surgical oncology. Both publish bimonthly and maintain separate editorial boards under Thieme.
Does the Journal of Neurological Surgery charge submission fees?
No, neither Part A nor Part B charges manuscript submission or processing fees. Both journals operate on a hybrid publication model: authors who choose traditional subscription publishing pay zero fees, while authors selecting Gold Open Access pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) of approximately $3,260 USD, which may be covered through institutional transformative agreements.
Sources
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG — Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A: Central European Neurosurgery. Available at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/journal/10.1055/s-00000056 (Read 2026-11-08).
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG — Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base. Available at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/journal/10.1055/s-00000057 (Read 2026-11-08).
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG — Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports. Available at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/journal/10.1055/s-00021544 (Read 2026-11-08).
- Thieme Open Access — Open Access Publishing Policies and APC Schedule. Available at: https://open.thieme.com/ (Read 2026-11-08).
- National Library of Medicine — NLM Catalog Records 101580777, 101580780, and 101601540. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/ (Read 2026-11-08).
