The evolution of research in orthopedic robotic surgery: global trends and future directions

Robotic surgery enhances precision in orthopedic and trauma procedures like joint replacements and bone corrections using navigation, artificial intelligence, and preoperative planning. This study aims to describe the global scientific output on robotic surgery in orthopedics and traumatology indexed on the Web of Science database. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to assess productivity, impact, and scientific collaboration. A total of 793 articles related to robotic surgery in orthopedics and traumatology were identified across 65 journals. The highest number of publications occurred in 2024 (155 articles), with an annual growth rate of 21.85% and an average of 24.38 citations per article. Fares Sami Haddad was the most prolific author (28 publications), while also leading in total citations (6089). The United States was the most productive country (279 articles). The most productive journals included The Journal of Arthroplasty and Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy, whereas journals with the greatest citation impact were The Bone & Joint Journal and Spine. The most cited study was by Jacofski et al. (2016), with 290 citations. Leading institutions included the Hospital for Special Surgery and the University of Pittsburgh. The most common keywords over the years were "arthroplasty," "accuracy," "navigation," and "robotic surgery," reflecting evolving trends from biomechanical precision to imaging and trauma evaluation. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of research trends in orthopedic robotic surgery, identify gaps in the existing literature, and suggest future directions for research and clinical innovation in this evolving field.