Bibliometric analysis of robotics in oral, maxillofacial, and head-neck surgery (2004–2023): Trends and hotspots

OBJECTIVES: A bibliometric analysis of the evolution of robotic applications in oral, maxillofacial, and head and neck surgeries was conducted, and research hotspots were identified. METHODS: Relevant publications on the use of robotic surgery in the oral, maxillofacial, and head and neck regions between 2004 and 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Data on performance were extracted using Bibliometrix software. Growth trends in publication counts were analyzed using an exponential growth function in Excel. Coauthorship networks between institutions and authors were visualized using the VOS viewer tool, and citations and keywords that experienced significant growth over specific periods were identified using CiteSpace. RESULTS: Overall, 1206 publications on the use of robotic procedures in the oral, maxillofacial, and head and neck areas were identified. Consistent annual increases were observed. The United States was the leader in terms of national contributions, with the University of Pennsylvania being the most prolific institutional contributor. The journal Head & Neck - Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head & Neck published the greatest number of articles in this domain. Notably, FC Holsinger, GS Weinstein, and BW O'Malley shared the highest H-index among the researchers in the field. Clinical studies on robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma represent a current research hotspot. CONCLUSIONS: The findings offer an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the use of robotic surgery in oral, maxillofacial, and head and neck studies using bibliometric methods.