Trends and dynamics in facelift surgery research: A bibliometric analysis of the top 50 most cited papers

Facelift procedures represent a critical area of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery that addresses the physical and psychological impacts of facial aging. Advancements in techniques and technologies over time have transformed the field, making it essential to assess the evolution of research trends. This study performed a bibliometric analysis of facelift research by examining the top 50 most cited publications to evaluate their contributions, thematic evolution, and collaborative networks. The Scopus database was used to identify relevant publications. A total of 50 documents were selected, comprising 47 articles and 3 reviews published across 16 academic sources. The inclusion criteria focused on publications with substantial relevance to facelift research; this ensured comprehensive coverage of the topic. Key performance indicators (for the authors) such as the number of papers, total citations, h-index, g-index, m-index, HG composite, and Q2 index were calculated. Citation analysis and collaborative network mapping were conducted to identify the leading contributors, including authors, universities, countries, and sources. The findings indicated an annual growth rate of 1.34%, with an average document age of 29.4 years and an average citation count per document of 134.9. The analysis identified the top authors and their collaborative networks, along with key contributions from various universities, countries, and sources. The thematic evolution of facelift research was examined across these 50 papers; this revealed important trends and shifts within the field. This bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into the development and influence of facelift research over a 52-year span. It highlights significant contributors and outlines thematic shifts, providing directions for future research and collaboration in this field.