Top 50 Highly Cited Publications in Cleft Lip: A 100-Year Bibliometric Analysis Review

One of the most prevalent facial abnormalities in children is a cleft lip, affecting approximately one in 700 live births worldwide, which poses a serious problem for craniofacial surgeons. Over the past decades, cleft lip repair (cheiloplasty) has witnessed significant advances in surgical techniques, functional restoration, and aesthetic outcomes. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the 50 most cited articles in cleft lip surgery published over the previous 100 years, aiming to identify influential research, key trends, and leading contributors in the field. A structured search was carried out using the Web of Science database with specific keywords. Articles were selected based on citation count, excluding non-peer-reviewed or irrelevant publications. Extracted variables included annual citation frequency, study type, level of evidence, and use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Moreover, the analysis revealed that the majority of high-impact research was published during the 1990s and 2000s. Review articles and retrospective studies dominated the literature, while randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were relatively rare. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery emerged as the most cited journal. Frequently addressed topics included surgical techniques, nasal deformity correction, and bilateral cleft lip repair. Finally, this study offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of cleft lip research and underscores the need for more prospective, high-quality studies to advance clinical outcomes and improve surgical care.