The application of transoral robotic surgery in the treatment of head and neck tumors: a bibliometric analysis based on the web of science core collection database.

The conventional approach for treating head and neck tumors typically involves open surgery, such as mandibular osteotomy. This method not only results in substantial trauma but may also cause facial deformity, malocclusion, severe dysphagia, and other complications. Recently, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has become a viable alternative for complex head and neck tumor resections, offering a clearer and wider surgical field along with enhanced precision and flexibility, significantly minimizing the complications associated with open surgery. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global trends in TORS for head and neck tumor treatment, identifying key research hotspots through bibliometric and visualization analysis, and highlighting its emerging frontiers and developmental trends. Publications (articles and review articles) related to TORS in managing head and neck tumors from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2025 (spanning 20 years) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database ( https://www.webofscience.com , Institute for Scientific Information, USA). The analysis, which covered annual publication volume, countries, institutions, journals, authors, citations, and keywords, was executed employing CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, Charticulator, and Office software. A total of 882 articles on TORS application for head and neck tumor treatment were retrieved, comprising 689 articles and 193 review papers. The United States topped publication numbers, with the University of Pennsylvania producing the most research. “Head and Neck - Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck” was the most prolific journal, publishing 131 articles. The author with the highest number of publications was Weinstein, Gregory S. The most cited article was “Radiotherapy versus transoral robotic surgery and neck dissection for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (ORATOR): an open-label, phase 2, randomized trial,” with 94 citations. Common keywords included TORS, squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck, and oropharyngeal cancer. Burst analysis of keywords and references revealed that TORS treatment for oropharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and thyroid and parathyroid tumors is currently a research hotspot. Future research may focus on TORS prognosis for head and neck tumors and patient functional recovery outcomes.