A bibliometric analysis of minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (2005-2024): mapping the knowledge landscape and future trends.

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has become central to the surgical management of esophageal cancer, yet a comprehensive bibliometric overview of this evolving field is lacking. This study aims to map the research landscape, identify key contributors and trends, and forecast future directions in MIE.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for publications from 2005 to 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using Bibliometrix (via Biblioshiny), VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to analyze publication trends, collaborations, influential entities, and keyword.

RESULTS

We identified 1427 English articles and reviews. Annual publications peaked in 2022. China, Japan, the USA, and the Netherlands were the most productive countries, with the Netherlands achieving the highest citation impact. Collaborative networks were primarily intra-national. Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques and Diseases of the Esophagus were core journals, while seminal RCTs appeared in high-impact journals like The Lancet. Keyword analysis revealed four major clusters: Robot-assisted MIE (RAMIE), thoracoscoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy, neoadjuvant therapy for squamous cell carcinoma, and the Ivor Lewis technique. Research trends evolved from techniques/complications to neoadjuvant and immunotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This first comprehensive bibliometric study of MIE confirms its established status, with RAMIE and immunotherapy as current hotspots. Future advancement hinges on large-scale, multinational RCTs and long-term outcome studies. This analysis provides a foundational map to guide research priorities and foster global collaboration.