Research trends and hotspots of postoperative ileus in patients with colorectal cancer: A bibliometric analysis (1992-2024).

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage colorectal cancer. Postoperative ileus is a common complication following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted for the period from 1992 to 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R package "Bibliometrix," were employed for bibliometric and visual analysis of relevant literature.

RESULTS

This study analyzed 334 publications on postoperative ileus in colorectal cancer. Publications increased sharply from the mid-2000s, peaking at 37 in 2021. China contributed the most corresponding-author publications (n = 80), while publications involving authors from the United States received the highest number of citations (1713). "Laparoscopy" and "enhanced recovery" were the most frequent keywords, with recent heightened focus on "anastomotic leakage" and "enhanced recovery."

CONCLUSION

This bibliometric analysis maps the evolution of research on postoperative ileus in colorectal cancer from 1992 to 2024. The literature has shifted from surgical techniques toward enhanced recovery and complication management, with recent foci on prolonged postoperative ileus and anastomotic leakage. These trends suggest that future studies may benefit from clearer risk stratification, standardized definitions, and multicenter validation within the context of enhanced recovery after surgery pathways.