Mapping global trends and research frontiers in third-space endoscopy: A visual and bibliometric analysis

Area of Science:

• Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Medical Research Trends

Background:

• Third-space endoscopy (TSE) encompasses advanced gastrointestinal (GI) procedures like endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).
• Despite its clinical benefits, the global research landscape and collaborative networks in TSE are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the global research output and identify key trends in third-space endoscopy (TSE) from 2015 to 2025.
• To map the geographic distribution, institutional contributions, and dominant research themes within the TSE field.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis of publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) between 2015 and 2025.
• Utilized VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel to assess publication volume, citations, geographic distribution, institutional/author productivity, and keyword co-occurrence.

Main Results:

• A total of 6,347 publications met the inclusion criteria, showing a steady increase in research output from 2015-2025.
• Japan, the United States, and China are the leading contributors, with prominent institutions including the Japan National Cancer Center and Mayo Clinic.
• Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are the dominant research themes, with "Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques" being the most frequently published journal.

Conclusions:

• Third-space endoscopy (TSE) is a rapidly expanding field in gastrointestinal medicine with significant clinical impact and research momentum.
• The geographical concentration of expertise in Japan and the US presents opportunities for broader international collaboration.
• Future research should prioritize comparative clinical studies and long-term outcome assessments to solidify TSE's role in minimally invasive GI treatment.