Bibliometric analysis of reports on microwave ablation in surgery in 2004—2024

OBJECTIVE: To identify scientific directions in microwave ablation worldwide through bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2024. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A database of publications was created on the Scopus platform for the period from 2004 to 2024 using the searching query "({Microwave ablation} OR {MWA}) AND NOT ("migraine*" OR "aura*"). We used the online analytical platform Bibliometrix to determine highly cited articles, identify leading institutions and authors, describe international scientific collaboration and analyze publication activity trends. Additionally, the VOSviewer application was employed for analyzing the context of keyword tags and countries. RESULTS: There were 2.894 eligible articles. Publication activity steady increased throughout the follow-up period with three peaks (66.7% increase in 2013-2014, 45.8% increase in 2018-2019 and 30% increase in 2020-2021). China emerged as the leading country regarding number of authors, annual number of articles and affiliated institutions. The International Journal of Hyperthermia is the most popular journal. The following organs are most frequently mentioned in context of microwave ablation procedures: liver, lungs, kidneys, thyroid gland, and bones. CONCLUSION: This study presents analysis of overall publication data on microwave ablation in surgery. Machine analysis demonstrates the interest of specialists in this issue. In our opinion, scientific and technological advancements in localized minimally invasive destruction allowed the scaling of MWA in surgery. Available positive experience of radiofrequency ablation underlies further popularization of MWA. Bibliometric analysis shows a steady increase in researches and publications. Our analysis is valuable to identify the most and least studied areas.