Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery: The Early Years

David E. Beck, MD

As part of celebrating its 25th anniversary, it is an honor to discuss the early history of Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. Clinics transitioned from Perspectives of Colon and Rectal Surgery in 2000. From 1988 to 2000, 13 volumes of Perspectives were published with Dr. Ted Schrock as the Editor-in-Chief. Perspectives was a small hardcover book that included sections such as Feature Articles, Expert Exchanges, Technical Articles, Complication Reports, Outside Insights, and Follow-up Articles. I was a member of the Editorial Board from 1997 to 2000.

Several factors led to the evolution of Perspectives into Clinics of Colon and Rectal Surgery. These included the retirement of Dr. Schrock from the Editorial staff and changes in publishers and the marketplace. To commemorate the evolution of Perspectives into Clinics, the volume numbers of the Clinics was continued in a consecutive manner and a cumulated author and subject index of Perspectives was published in two parts. The first half (1988–1992) was included in the last volume of Perspectives (Volume 13:2) and the second half (1993–2000) was included in Volume 14:1 of Clinics.

Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery was an issue-directed, soft cover journal, published quarterly, which allowed reduction in production costs with an associated reduced subscription charge. Each issue contained a series of related, comprehensive but concise articles coordinated by an Issue Editor. The Journal's goal was to cover topics in a manner to be educational and interesting to our trainees as well as accomplished colleagues. Additional features of the Journal include editorials, ability to obtain continuing medical education (CME) credits, and letters to the editor. We strove for listing in Index Medicus and inclusion of limited advertisement. This allowed for recognition of our contributors and maintenance of quality while minimizing cost to our subscribers. The Editorial Board and Issue Editors include well-respected practitioners of Colon and Rectal Surgery whose dedication ensured success of this Journal. Most surgical specialties have two issue-directed journals. The breath and increasing depth of colon and rectal surgery has allowed clinics and seminars on colon and rectal surgery to prosper.

I served as Editor-in-Chief from 2000 (Volume 14:1) to 2015 (Volume 28:4). The job was made easier by the hard work of numerous issue editors and contributors. Dr. Scott Steele became Editor-in-Chief in 2016. I am gratified by his success in maintaining the quality and interest in Clinics.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 December 2025