Robotic-assisted cardiothoracic surgery: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of trends, innovations, and future directions.

backgroundRobotic-assisted surgery, particularly in cardiothoracic procedures, has significantly evolved over recent decades. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to assess the trends, key contributors, and emerging areas of interest in this field.

methodsData were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Visualization of Similarities Viewer (VOSviewer), CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix’s Shiny App (Biblioshiny) were utilized for network analysis, keyword mapping, and trend evaluation.

resultsThe research output exhibited a steady increase over time, reaching a peak of 29 publications in 2023. The United States of America (USA), China, and Germany led in overall contributions, with 172, 30, and 26 publications respectively. Harvard University emerged as the most productive institution (19 publications). In terms of influence, the USA, England, and Belgium demonstrated the highest centrality scores (0.72, 0.39, and 0.14, respectively), underscoring their significant roles in the field. Johannes Bonatti was the most prolific author, with 13 publications, while Volkmar Falk was the most frequently co-cited author (121 co-citations). Keyword analysis identified “experience” (n = 55), “outcomes” (n = 47), and “repair” (n = 35) as the most frequently used terms, whereas “lung cancer,” “assisted thoracic-surgery,” and “lobectomy” emerged as newer, rapidly growing keywords. Cluster analysis highlighted recent thematic foci, notably “Robotic Lobectomy” and “Artificial Intelligence,” which reflect a trend toward increasingly specialized and technology-driven surgical approaches.

conclusionThe evolution of robotic-assisted cardiothoracic surgery research is marked by a consistent rise in scholarly output and is characterized by a strong emphasis on clinician expertise and patient outcomes, as evidenced by the recurring prominence of terms like “experience” and “outcomes.” Over time, this focus has expanded toward oncological applications, with emerging keywords highlighting procedures such as robotic lobectomy. Concurrently, the integration of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, is transforming surgical practice. These developments refine the surgeon’s technical capabilities, enhance patient selection, improve operative planning, and support better postoperative recovery. Collectively, these trends underscore a field in transition, poised to advance both the quality of care and the range of oncological interventions in cardiothoracic surgery. While these trends underscore the expanding clinical and academic interest in robotic approaches, the findings should be interpreted in light of several limitations, including reliance on a single bibliographic database. Despite these constraints, this analysis provides a structured overview of the field’s evolution and offers insight into future research directions and clinical integration.