Earlier this month, we reported on the retraction of two papers by a Japanese anesthesiologist for unreliable data. At the time, we noted that the case of Hironobu Ueshima bore watching, given his publication total runs to about 170.
[See an update on this story.]
The two retractions earlier this month came after an earlier one from the journal Medicine in April. Now, another anesthesia journal has retracted three more papers by Ueshima, citing misconduct, for a total of six.
The articles appeared in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine in 2016 and 2019. According to the notice:
At the request of the primary author, the Editor and Publisher are retracting the following articles due to research misconduct.
Ueshima H, Otake H.
Limitations of the Transversus Thoracic Muscle Plane Block.
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2016;41:659–660.
Ueshima H, Iwamoto W, Otake H.
Serratus Plane Block for a Contraction of the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle.
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2016;41:411.
Ueshima H, Tanaka N, Otake H.
Greater analgesic effect with intermittent compared with continuous mode of lumbar plexus block for total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2019;44:632–636.
All authors agree to the retraction.
Together, the papers have been cited just three times, according to Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science.
Ueshima, whose affiliation on the paper is Showa University in Tokyo, did not respond to our request for comment. A co-author on all five of his retractions to date is Hiroshi Otake, who at least at one time was the vice director of Showa University Hospital and chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Showa University School of Medicine. We emailed Otake for comment on the case but have not heard back.
Both Ueshima and Otake appear on a Showa University page in July 2018, but no longer. However, this June 2020 publication lists Otake as still being with the institution.
Brian Sites, the editor of RAPM, told us:
RAPM has retracted 1 original manuscript and 2 Letters to the Editor based on author admitted misconduct. There are no other pending manuscripts by the authors that are being considered for publication in RAPM. RAPM has not spoken with the authors but has requested a formal IRB investigation from the sponsoring organization. We have been informed that this investigation is underway. If we learn of any other manuscripts that are of concern we will immediately take action.
Sites said he didn’t know the specifics about the misconduct, but added:
I will presumably learn more when the investigation finalizes. From my perspective, looking at the data for the original manuscript, we are concerned about the possibility for data fabrication.
Update, 0130 UTC, 6/26/20: Otake tells Retraction Watch:
It is in the process of the investigation of his work by Showa University. The investigation committee will report about his misconduct and the punishment.
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