Preface

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The field of spine surgery is in a constant state of flux, with dramatic advancements in techniques and instrumentation over the last 20 years that have significantly contributed to the surgeon’s armamentarium to combat the numerous pathologies that affect the spine. These developments should be corroborated with clinical evidence; one must design valid questions and matrices, then measure them accurately and share that information in an effective and non-biased manner. Research and education are important drivers of knowledge, ensuring appropriate evidence-based patient management and allowing us to communicate information in an honest and scientific format. Equally as paramount is rapid online access to new and innovate research so that spine surgeons have immediate access to advancements in the field of spine surgery and can translate this in their practice for the patients’ benefit.

It is my pleasure to present the inaugural issue of the Journal of Spine Surgery (JSS), an Open-Access journal devoted to exploring many contemporary issues affecting spine surgery, patient care and the basic sciences that form the foundation of surgical management. The JSS is intended to be an international spine journal with an Australasian platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences, new findings and developments in the treatment and outcomes of spinal care. We invite and encourage submissions from around the world to reflect the ideas and research work being done from all spine centres. We hope to utilize this journal as a true platform for the exchange of international research and clinical experiences.

Thanks are due to numerous people who have helped in starting up this new journal, with special mention to Kevin Phan, our Co-Editor in Chief, without whose foresight and tireless efforts this journal would not have materialized. Drs. Gragnaniello, Pelletier and Rao have provided robust and noteworthy input into the structure and function for the journal, and will remain paramount to the organization and success of the JSS. Thanks would not be complete without mention of our publisher, OSS Press Ltd., whose confidence in this journal has provided the stage for our new beginning. I am particularly grateful to the many surgeons whom I have approached, both in Australasia and abroad who have been supportive of our new endeavour and keen to assist with the smooth running of the journal, as well as the worthy reviewers and the members of editorial board who provide support, advice, and continue to represent the journal in their subspecialty interest areas.

The Australasian Spine surgical community, both Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical, has always shared a close relationship with our Canadian colleagues, and this is reflected with a number of the International Editors heralding from our geographically distant, but ideologically close friends from Vancouver and Toronto. I am sure that their international reputation, and great expertise in the field will have a significant contribution toward optimizing the journal and making the JSS a prestigious and first-class international journal.

Where will our specialty be in 20 years from now? It is well know that spinal disorders are one of the major generators of pain and disability in the developed world, with symptom onset usually within our most productive years. With enhancements in techniques, technologies, biomaterials and regenerative options, the specialty of spine surgery will likely remain at the forefront of innovative growth for decades to come, with vehicles such as JSS providing a conduit for rapid access to information that will shape the future of our specialty.

It is my genuine hope that the JSS will serve the spine community and will provide a robust vehicle of presenting ideas and research work in the spine arena. I anticipate that you will find the JSS a substantial platform to communicate your research, concepts, ideas and spine related thoughts. Finally, I thank each of our contributors for sharing their knowledge and expertise to generate this inaugural issue.