Twenty years of research on total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA): bibliometric analysis and visual mapping with Web of Science data

Aims: This study aims to determine the leading articles, countries, institutions, authors, funding sources and scientific collaborations by examining the scientific literature related to total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using bibliometric methods. It also aims to reveal the thematic structure and research trends of the field using keyword analysis. Methods: A total of 494 English-language articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database were examined. Publication trends were evaluated using citation analyses, co-citation networks, and keyword co-occurrence analyses. Bibliometrix and VOSviewer programs were used for the analyses. In addition, thematic trends and keyword evolution were analyzed with Sankey diagrams and trend analysis. Results: In total, 494 articles and 195 journals from 54 countries were evaluated. The most productive countries are the USA, China and South Korea, while institutions such as the National Defense Medical Center and Tri-Service General Hospital have come to the fore. Wu ZF, Lai HC and Lee MS have been identified as the most prolific authors. Anesthesiology has been the most cited journal, while pediatric anesthesia has been the most prolific journal. Among the most frequently used keywords were propofol, TIVA and anesthesia. After 2019, it has been observed that the interest in areas such as cancer surgery and recovery issues has increased. The studies of Nimmo and Wu ZF have been among the important references highlighting the oncological and postoperative advantages of TIVA. Conclusion: This bibliometric study examines the scientific studies in the field of TIVA between 2003 and 2023. During this time, the number of publications has increased, and the USA has come to the fore as the country with the highest number of publications and citations. China and South Korea, on the other hand, are following the United States. National Defense Medical Center and Tri Service General Hospital are the prominent institutions. The most active authors are Wu ZF, Lai HC and Lee MS; Wu ZF in particular is the leader in both the number of publications and citations. Anesthesiology is the most cited and pediatric anesthesia is the most active journal. After 2019, there has been an increasing interest in the topics of "obstructive sleep apnea," "recovery," and "cancer surgery". The Sankey diagram indicates that topics such as "rocuronium," "cerebral oxygen saturation" and "surgery" were more focused during this period.