Visualized bibliometric panorama of ureteral stents (1975-present): trends and hotspots revealed

Ureteral stent (US) is vital in managing ureteral obstruction, ensuring drainage, and providing structural support. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive synthesis of findings is lacking. This study employs bibliometric analysis and visualization tools to examine 2,994 articles from the Web of Science (1975-2024), identifying key researchers, institutions, countries, and trends. Results indicate a rising publication trend, particularly in the last five years, with the United States leading in output and centrality. The University of California System emerged as the top institution. Key journals and bridging keywords such as "complication" and "ureteral obstruction" (centrality > 0.1) highlight critical research areas, including surgical interventions, iatrogenic injury, and stent failure. Clustering revealed hotspots such as intrarenal surgery, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, stent-related symptoms, and benign ureteral obstruction. Current research focuses on guideline development, outcome evaluation, prevalence studies, and complications such as sepsis. This analysis provides insights into US research trends, guiding future innovation and topic selection in the field.