Hotspots and trends in peripheral facial paralysis treatment

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) is a nonspecific inflammatory disease of the facial nerve, and the resulting sequelae seriously affect social function and mental health. Bibliometric analysis determines the focus and status of current research. However, no comprehensive bibliometric study has yet focused on PFP treatment. METHODS: Relevant publications from 2004 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science. Visualization and bibliometric analyses were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica to explore collaborative networks among countries, institutions, and authors, as well as key journals and references. RESULTS: A total of 2426 publications were identified, authored by 10,111 researchers from 2749 institutions across 84 countries/regions. Publication output has shown a general upward trend. The United States led in publication volume and international collaborations. The institution and author with the most publications were Kyung Hee University and Hadlock TA, respectively. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ranked highest in both publication count and citations, while Terzis JK was the most frequently co-cited author. Over the years, the research hotspots in PFP treatment shifted from antivirals, steroids, and muscle transplantation therapies to include nerve transplantation, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and other rehabilitation therapies. CONCLUSION: This analysis captured the research hotspots and frontiers in PFP therapy. This study highlights the developmental trajectory and emerging trends in PFP therapy, providing a comprehensive reference for future research directions in the field.