Exploring the Scientific Conversation Regarding Live Tissue Training in Trauma Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Live tissue training (LTT) for surgical skills practice remains controversial.
• The scientific literature on LTT is polarized, with ethical concerns raised.
• A bibliometric analysis was conducted to map the academic discourse on LTT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the academic conversation surrounding live tissue training (LTT).
• To identify key specialties, journals, and author influences in LTT literature.
• To explore the nature of academic engagement regarding LTT.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 84 literature sources.
• Manual extraction and visual mapping of bibliometric data.
• Literature sourced from a prior systematic review.

Main Results:

• LTT discourse is concentrated in surgery, trauma, and emergency medicine, predominantly in clinical journals.
• Military authors and organizations significantly influence the LTT literature.
• Publications are largely supportive or ambivalent; objections often come from animal activist organizations.

Conclusions:

• Academic engagement on LTT is primarily through citation to affirm or rebuke, not constructive dialogue.
• Increased interactivity among researchers could enhance the LTT conversation.
• Broadening the scope to include wider medical education literature and other disciplines may improve trauma education.