The Development and Future of Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract Purpose:With the increasing adoption of robot-assisted surgery, particularly in distal pancreatectomy, the field has gained significant traction. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore the current landscape, research focuses, and emerging trends in robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy (RDP). Methods:Utilizing the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), this study identified relevant publications spanning from 2002 to 2024. Analytical tools such as CiteSpace (v6.2.R6) and VOSviewer (v1.6.20) were employed to assess various dimensions including publication quantity, countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, keywords. Results:A total of 385 journal articles were reviewed, revealing a consistent annual growth in publications over the study period. The United States, England, and Italy emerged as prominent contributors to RDP research, with Amsterdam University and Rotterdam University leading in institutional productivity. "Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques" emerged as the primary journal for RDP publications, featuring high citation rates. Notably, authors Besselink MG and Zureikat AH were identified for their substantial contributions to the field. Research hotspots identified through bibliometric analysis include indications, safety and efficacy, surgical techniques, and the learning curve of RDP. There is a potential emerging interest in Finding higher-level evidence to explore RDP's efficacy for pancreatic cancer treatment as a future research direction. Conclusion:This study represents the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of RDP, offering insights into its development, identifying current research hotspots, and predicting future trends. The findings of our study provide practical information for other scholars to grasp research hotspots and research trends.