Request for Retraction

Abstract

To the Editor We request retraction of the article “Balloon Dilatational Tracheostomy: Initial Experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin Method.”1 This paper is a translation of a manuscript we published in German.2 Following publication in the highly esteemed German journal Der Chirug, we thought our experience would be valuable to English speaking physicians. However, we failed to inform Anesthesia & Analgesia that this was a translation of our previously published article, and we did not seek permission from Der Chirurg to publish a translation. We regret the error. 1. Gromann TW, Birkelbach O, Hetzer R. Balloon dilatational tracheostomy: initial experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin method. Anesth Analg2009;108:1862–6 2. Gromann TW, Birkelbach O, Hetzer R. [Ballon dilatational tracheostomy. Technique and first clinical experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin method]. Chirurg2009;80:622–7 Editor's Note I appreciate Dr. Hetzer's explanation of the submission and publication of “Balloon Dilatational Tracheostomy: Initial Experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin Method” in two different journals, one in English and one in German. As he notes in his letter, we were not informed of the duplicate publication, nor was permission sought from Der Chirurg to republish the text originally published in German. Therefore, the paper is retracted. On behalf of the Editorial Board of Anesthesia & Analgesia, I apologize to Der Chirurg for violation of their copyright by publishing an English translation without permission. Our Guide for Authors (page 537) gives specific guidance on translating manuscripts from other languages into English: “There is sometimes value in publishing in English an important manuscript previously published in another language. Anesthesia & Analgesia will consider such submissions. However, they must be accompanied by a letter from the copyright holder of the original publication granting Anesthesia & Analgesia permission to publish the work.”3 It is possible, and sometimes highly desirable, to publish a manuscript in English that was originally published in another language. However, translation into English does not make the text a new manuscript. The Journal must be informed that this submission was originally published in a different language, and the submission must include a statement from the copyright holder granting us permission to publish the text. If these two items are not included, then the translated manuscript is considered duplicate publication. 1. Gromann TW, Birkelbach O, Hetzer R. Balloon dilatational tracheostomy: initial experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin method. Anesth Analg 2009;108:1862–6 2. Gromann TW, Birkelbach O, Hetzer R. [Ballon dilatational tracheostomy. Technique and first clinical experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin method]. Chirurg 2009;80:622–7 3. . Guide for Authors. Anesth Analg 2010;111:525–38