Research Trends on Perioperative Complications of Knee Replacement: A Bibliometric Analysis

Knee replacement is a surgical procedure designed to alleviate severe knee pain and dysfunction by removing the damaged joint surface and replacing it with an artificial prosthesis, thereby restoring joint function and reducing pain. This study aims to identify and analyze research trends related to perioperative complications associated with knee replacement through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis.

A systematic literature search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. For bibliometric analysis, we utilized VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package "Bibliometrix" to visualize collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrences, and emerging research trends.

A total of 5,751 articles published between 1973 and 2024 were included, contributed by 22,328 authors affiliated with 213 institutions across 47 countries. The United States (USA) led in publication volume with 2,403 articles and the highest citation count of 70,642. Parvizi Javad was identified as the most prolific author, contributing substantially with a high citation impact, while Harvard University emerged as the most productive institution. The Journal of Arthroplasty was a central publication venue, highlighted by its strong citation metrics. The most frequently occurring keywords were "outcomes" and "risk factors," reflecting core research themes in perioperative complications associated with knee replacement. Keyword burst analysis indicated increased research focus on topics such as "dislocation" and "enhanced recovery," underscoring key trends in the field.

This bibliometric analysis highlights pivotal research trends in perioperative complications of knee replacement, with the USA and Harvard University as primary contributors. Future research is expected to focus on advancing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols to further reduce complications and improve patient outcomes.