Trends in facial reanimation surgery - a bibliometric analysis
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: Facial paralysis is a debilitating condition with far-reaching physical, psychological, and social effects. Facial reanimation surgery (FRS) employs a range of static and dynamic procedures to restore form and function. This bibliometric analysis aims to evaluate the top 100 most-cited FRS articles to identify trends, gaps, and methodological quality across the highest-impact studies. By doing so, it provides valuable insights into the evolution of the field, highlights areas requiring further research, and informs future clinical practices and decision-making. Understanding the current landscape of FRS research will help guide the development of higher-quality studies, promote evidence-based practices, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Methods: The top 100 most-cited articles related to FRS were identified through a comprehensive Web of Science search covering publications from 1976 to 2024. Data including citation count, study focus, and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) levels of evidence (LOE) were extracted. Results: The most-cited articles in FRS spanned a total of 6841 citations and involved 5570 patients. Citation per article ranged from 31 to 535. A large proportion of studies were LOE 3 (n = 43), with fewer studies of higher evidence levels (LOE 2 and 1). Surgical technique was the dominant subject area (n = 64), while validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were utilized in only 8 studies. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need for improved research methodologies and the broader adoption of validated PROMs in FRS research. Standardized tools and multi-center, high-level studies will help optimize patient care and decision-making in this field. This analysis provides key insights into the evolution of FRS and offers actionable recommendations for future research, particularly in interdisciplinary fields such as craniofacial surgery. Multi-institutional studies and collaborative research will be essential to advancing this field and providing optimal patient care.
Date Acceptance
2025-07-19
Citation
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
ISSN
2169-7574
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer
Journal / Book Title
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Copyright Statement
Subject to copyright. This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the Version of Record (VoR) will be available on immediate open access.
Publication Status
Accepted