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Trends in Lower Limb Orthoplastic Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis
Panagiotis Bompolas1, Sina Dehnadi2, Francesca Ruccia3
1From the Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open
|January 12, 2026
Summary
This bibliometric analysis of top lower limb orthoplastic surgery articles reveals a need for higher evidence levels. Future research should focus on improving study rigor and expanding applications beyond trauma care.
Area of Science:
- Orthoplastic Surgery
- Bibliometrics
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Orthoplastic surgery combines orthopedic and plastic surgery for complex lower limb issues.
- Advancements have improved multidisciplinary approaches and patient outcomes.
- This study is the first bibliometric analysis of the most-cited lower limb orthoplastic surgery (LLOS) articles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the 100 most-cited articles in LLOS.
- To uncover emerging trends in the field.
- To guide future research directions in LLOS.
Main Methods:
- Identified 100 most-cited LLOS articles from Web of Science.
- Extracted data on citation counts, outcomes, pathologies, and modalities.
- Assessed the level of evidence for each study.
Main Results:
- The top 100 articles received 12,225 citations.
- Most studies were retrospective cohorts (n=59), with a mean of 139.8 citations.
- Trauma and open fractures (n=94) were common, with flap coverage (n=79) as the primary modality. Only one study had Level I evidence.
Conclusions:
- The most influential LLOS articles predominantly feature lower levels of evidence.
- There is a significant gap in high-quality methodological research.
- Future research should enhance methodological rigor and explore orthoplastic applications beyond trauma.
