Mapping the knowledge landscape of robotic colorectal cancer surgery: a visualization study

Robotic surgery has now been widely applied in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), driving significant growth in related research activities. This study aims to reveal the research hotspots, emerging frontiers, and future research trends in the field of robotic CRC surgery through bibliometrics and visualization methods. Literature related to robotic CRC surgery from 2001 to 2024 was systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The Citespace software was used to perform bibliometric and visualization analysis. A total of 2086 publications were finally included in this study. The USA and China ranked the top two in terms of publication output. Yonsei University and its affiliated health system took the leading position in both paper output and citation count. The early- and mid-term research primarily focused on "learning curve", "initial experience", "short-term outcome", "pathological outcome", "quality of life", and "anastomotic leakage". In recent years, research directions, such as "deep learning", "artificial intelligence (AI)", and "functional outcomes", have gained prominence. This study identifies that research hotspots in robotic CRC surgery include comparative investigations of robotic versus laparoscopic approaches, functional preservation, complication management, and multimodal therapy integration for liver metastases. Emerging trends highlight the integration of AI and deep learning, alongside a shift toward prioritizing functional protection and quality of life. Future efforts should focus on long-term outcome data in complex cases, advancing AI-driven personalized strategies, standardizing training protocols, and conducting cost-effectiveness analysis. These efforts will enhance the safety, efficacy, and global accessibility of robotic techniques.