Bibliometric mapping of transoral robotic surgery literature (2005-2025): disciplinary maturation, global research...

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has rapidly expanded across oncologic and sleep surgery, yet its global evidence base remains fragmented. Prior bibliometric studies examined generic robotic surgery or TORS subsets without search-optimized, domain-specific mapping. Therefore, this study was designed to construct a comprehensive, data-driven bibliometric map of TORS research. A Scopus-based, multi-step search identified 938 English-language TORS articles. R-Based Bibliometrix and VOSviewer were used to analyze publication and citation trends, countries, institutions, sources, collaboration networks, co-citation structures, keyword co-occurrence, thematic evolution, Bradford's law, and emerging research fronts. From 2005 to 2025, TORS discourse across 197 sources showed 21.2% annual growth, with lower per-article citations recently. The United States dominated volume and citations, followed by Italy, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Canada. Leading institutions included the University of Pennsylvania, Yonsei University, and North American cancer centers. Collaboration networks showed clustered, US-centered international partnerships and tightly connected author communities. Core journals (Laryngoscope, Head and Neck, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Journal of Robotic Surgery) concentrated output, consistent with Bradford's Law. Keyword and trend analyses indicated transition from technique-focused terms to HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer, functional outcomes, and de-escalation. Thematic maps and evolution analyses highlighted TORS and obstructive sleep apnea as motor themes, with niche domains such as base-of-tongue lesions and sialendoscopy. TORS research is rapidly expanding yet geographically concentrated, with evolving focus from technical feasibility toward oncologic, functional, and patient-centered themes, guiding multicenter trials, de-escalation strategies, and precision oncology integration.