Insights into research trends on recurrent laryngeal nerve damage in thyroid surgery (1974-2024): a bibliometric review

Abstract

Background: Insufficient iodine intake is a global health issue, causing goiter in about 2.2 billion people, with a prevalence of 15.8%. Thyroid surgeries, although necessary, can lead to serious complications like recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury. This study aims to identify leading countries, institutions, and keywords related to thyroid surgery and RLN injury to guide future research and clinical practice. Methods: A search in the Scopus database on May 7, 2024, resulted in 1,440 publications from 346 sources, analyzed using the Bibliometrix R-package. Results: The analysis shows an upward trend in publications. The USA leads with 730 publications, followed by China (n=660) and Italy (n=388). Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital has the highest publication count (n=103), followed by Harvard Medical School (n=60). China provided the most research grants (n=100), followed by the USA (n=46). Extensive collaborations are noted, especially between the USA, China, Italy, and Korea. The World Journal of Surgery published the most articles (n=67), while the International Journal of Surgery had the highest impact factor (15.3). Prominent authors include Dionigi G with 49 articles and Wu CW. with forty. The keywords "thyroidectomy" and "recurrent laryngeal nerve" were frequently used from 1974 to 2024. Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis underscores the increasing global research focus on RLN injury in thyroidectomy, highlighting the need for enhanced surgical techniques, international collaboration, and standardized practices to improve patient outcomes.