Top 100 most-cited articles on hemorrhoids: A bibliometric analysis and visualized study

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Public health
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Hemorrhoids represent a significant public health concern with a high incidence.
• Understanding influential literature is crucial for identifying research trends and gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric and visualized analysis of the most influential literature on hemorrhoids.
• To identify key trends, influential sources, and research focus areas in the field of hemorrhoids.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the 100 most frequently cited studies on hemorrhoids from the Web of Science database.
• Utilized VosViewer, Carrot2, Microsoft Excel, and Tableau for data visualization and analysis.

Main Results:

• Highly cited hemorrhoid research peaked between 1990-2010, with a subsequent decline in interest.
• The United States and the United Kingdom dominate influential publications, while high-prevalence countries show limited research.
• St. Mark's Hospital, Kamm MA, Phillips RKS, Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, and British Journal of Surgery are identified as leading contributors.
• Stapled hemorrhoidectomy (SH) and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) represent the most significant research focus.

Conclusions:

• Scholarly interest in hemorrhoid research, especially surgical procedures, has waned, indicating a potential research bottleneck.
• The theory of inferior anal cushion migration is influential, but further high-quality evidence is required.
• This study provides a reference for researchers to understand global trends and guide future investigations in hemorrhoid management.