The Middle East Journal of Anesthesiology (Middle East J. Anesth.), ISSN 0544-0440 since 1981
Licensed by the Lebanese Ministry of Information Decision No.84, Official Gazette No.22 , 28/5/1992. Accepted for inclusion in the Index Medicus and MEDLARS system, 1976.

The Middle East Journal of Anesthesiology was first published in June 1966, by Dr. Bernard Brandstater, then chairperson and professor and its first editor-in-chief. He gave it the famous motto "For some must watch, while some must sleep” (Hamlet - Act. III, Sc.ii). He also chose its symbol the poppy flower (Papaver somniferum), because the poppy flower was first cultivated in the Middle East and has given unique service to suffering humankind for thousands of years. The journal is a non-profit publication of the Department of Anesthesiology and is run by volunteer staff of the department.

The journal is published three times a year (February, June, and October) and has an Editorial Executive Committee from the department and consultant editors from various Arab countries. A volume consists of six issues. Presently, it is in its 42nd year of publication and is currently in its 19th volume. It has a worldwide circulation and effective March 2008, the MEJA has become an electronic journal.

The main objective of the journal is to act as a forum for publication, education, and exchange of opinions, and to promote research and publications of the Middle Eastern heritage of medicine and anesthesia.

It has followed a policy to dedicate total issues for regions in the Middle East. To date, 17 regional issues have been published: Iran (June, 1969), Egypt (June, 1970), Lebanon I (February, 1971), Syria (October, 1971), Turkey (June, 1973), Saudi Arabia I (February, 1979), USA I (October, 1979), Lebanon II (February, 1984), Saudi Arabia II (June, 1985), USA II (February, 1986), Qatar (October, 1986), Jordan I (June, 1987), Jordan II (October, 1988), Saudi Arabia III (October, 1993), Saudi Arabia IV (October, 1998), Saudi Arabia V (February, 1999), Lebanon III (Feb, 2004).

The February and June issues of 1983 (Vol. 7, Nos. 1 and 2) - "Special Issue on Lebanese War" need special mention. Foremost, they are dedicated to the experiences of the AUB Medical Center staff during the tragic Lebanese war. They also inaugurate the new cover design, using the name of the journal and its symbol of poppy flower, to depict in color the Lebanese national flag. To celebrate the arrival of the third millennium - 2000 - a special issue on the history of anesthesia in the Middle East was issued (Vol. 15, No.4, February 2000).

The Middle East Journal of Anesthesiology has gained a posture of excellence as evidenced by the "Book Review” which appeared in Anesthesia & Analgesia, 1984, Volume 63, p.704-708 by Dr. Nicholas Greene, professor and chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology of Yale University School of Medicine: "...this journal has consistently proven to be one of the more interesting and educationally rewarding of the 30 or so regional journals about anesthesiology published throughout the world..."