Hip Surgery in Cerebral Palsy: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Surgery
• Cerebral Palsy Research

Background:

• Hip dislocation in cerebral palsy (CP) causes pain, pressure sores, and hygiene issues.
• Early intervention and surveillance programs are crucial for managing hip pathology in CP.
• Surgical options include soft tissue procedures, guided growth, osteotomies, and salvage procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of surgical interventions for hip pathology in children with CP.
• To identify trends in research publication, key institutions, and influential studies.
• To assess the methodological quality of existing literature.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed on the Clarivate Web of Science Core Collection on October 18, 2022.
• Included were 59 original studies and reviews with at least 20 citations on bony or soft tissue surgery for hip pathology in children with CP.
• Methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) scoring system.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in studies over the decades was observed, with a concentration in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics.
• The United States of America was the most productive country, with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard University leading in publications.
• The median MINORS score was 11 out of 18, indicating methodological limitations such as lack of prospective sample size calculation and control groups in many studies.

Conclusions:

• The literature on surgical management of hip dislocation in CP is expanding, with a clear focus in specific journals and institutions.
• Existing research often exhibits methodological weaknesses, highlighting a need for higher-quality studies.
• Influential papers continue to shape the field, underscoring the importance of continued research and collaboration.