本杂志的使命是通过出版相关同行评审的临床和基础科学信息来促进外科的艺术和科学，以帮助外科医生优化患者护理。手术档案还将作为讨论涉及伦理、教学、手术史和社会经济问题的论坛。
The mission of this journal is to promote the art and science of surgery by publishing relevant peer-reviewed clinical and basic science information to assist the surgeon in optimizing patient care. The Archives of Surgery will also serve as a forum for the discussion of issues that involve ethics, teaching, surgical history, and socioeconomic concerns.