Endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis: a bibliometric analysis of primary studies

IntroductionBibliometrics, a statistical method assessing the influence of scholarly works, was employed to analyze the evolution of endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis.MethodsThis comprehensive review followed PRISMA guidelines, sourcing data from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, focusing on clinical and surgical outcomes up to December 2023. We identified 1409 records, with 83 papers meeting inclusion criteria.ResultsThe majority of studies originated from the Americas (79%), predominantly from the United States (75.9%). The typical study design was retrospective cohort studies (62%), involving a total of 8,175 patients with median research duration of 8 years. Citation metrics indicated an average count of 38.9 per paper, with notable contributions from several key authors. A distinct increase in research was observed in recent years, particularly from 2011 onwards, peaking in 2022 and 2023. The top 10 most cited papers, largely emanating from the U.S., had a higher median patient number (103) compared to the overall median (53), suggesting their significant impact. These papers were primarily published in journals with higher impact factors and citation indicators. The most cited research was notably published in the Journal of Neurosurgery-Pediatrics.ConclusionThis analysis provides a comprehensive view of the field, highlighting the growing trend and clinical importance of endoscopic approaches in craniosynostosis, offering a valuable resource for future research and clinical practice.