Global trends and collaborative networks in minimally invasive treatments for great saphenous varicose veins: a bibliometric analysis

Varicose veins of the great saphenous vein (GSV) significantly affect patient quality of life. Recent advancements in minimally invasive treatments such as endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) have revolutionized therapeutic approaches. This bibliometric study evaluates the scientific landscape to identify trends and key contributions in this field. We conducted a bibliometric analysis using data from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), spanning publications from 1987 to 2024, focusing exclusively on English-language articles. Bibliometric tools including VOSviewer and CiteSpace, and R 4.3.3 were used to analyze publications, citations, authorship, institutional affiliations, and keyword trends. The study included 1,005 publications, accumulating 24,820 citations. Leading contributions came from the United States led with 264 articles, followed by the United Kingdom with 117 and China with 72. Key productive authors included Gough M. J. and Gloviczki Peter. Prominent institutions involved were Erasmus MC and Imperial College London. The Journal of Vascular Surgery and the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery were primary publication venues. Central keywords were “reflux”, “surgery” and “radiofrequency ablation” with rising interest in “clinical practice guidelines” and societal impacts. This study presents a bibliometric analysis on minimally invasive therapy for varicose veins of GSV, highlighting research trends, influential studies, and collaborative networks. The analysis identifies key contributions to the field and provides insights for future research directions.