Microsurgery: the top 50 classic papers in plastic surgery: a citation analysis

Area of Science:

• Microsurgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Article citation count reflects a paper's impact in its field.
• The most frequently cited articles in microsurgery are currently unknown.
• Understanding citation impact is crucial for assessing scientific contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the characteristics of the top 50 most cited papers in microsurgery.
• To understand the landscape of influential microsurgery research within plastic surgery literature.
• To provide insights into factors contributing to landmark publications.

Main Methods:

• Systematic identification of the 50 most cited papers from high-impact plastic surgery and microsurgery journals.
• Ranking articles based on citation frequency.
• Analysis of article type, journal distribution, and geographic and institutional origin.

Main Results:

• Six international journals published the top 50 microsurgery papers.
• The most cited paper, focusing on vascularized bone grafts, received 116 citations.
• The United States led in originating papers, with Preston and Northcote Community Hospital being the most productive institution.

Conclusions:

• The identified papers represent significant milestones in the history of microsurgery.
• Citation analysis offers valuable guidance for authors seeking to publish impactful research.
• This study establishes a benchmark for influential microsurgery publications.