Global trends in robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation: a bibliometric and visualization analysis

Robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation (RAUR) has emerged as an important minimally invasive technique in reconstructive urology, yet the global research landscape of this field remains incompletely characterized. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the development trends, knowledge structure, and research hotspots of RAUR through bibliometric and visualization analyses. Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from database inception to December 31, 2025. A total of 380 articles and reviews were included. Bibliometric analyses were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Microsoft Excel to assess publication trends, collaborative networks, co-citation relationships, and keyword evolution. The results demonstrated a sustained increase in annual publications, with a marked acceleration after 2019, reflecting growing academic interest in RAUR. The United States dominated global research output and institutional contributions, while European countries exhibited relatively stronger international collaboration. Core authors and highly cited researchers were concentrated in North America and Europe, indicating a geographically centralized knowledge structure. Journal analysis showed that publications were mainly distributed in specialized urology and minimally invasive surgery journals, with a limited number of high-impact journals exerting substantial academic influence. Co-citation analysis indicated that the field has progressed from early feasibility studies to comparative outcome research and, more recently, to multicenter studies. Keyword analysis further demonstrated a shift in research focus from initial clinical experience toward outcome evaluation, complication-related issues, and minimally invasive approaches, particularly in pediatric populations. In conclusion, RAUR research has evolved from an exploratory stage to a more clinically oriented phase, with increasing emphasis on outcome evaluation and evidence accumulation. This work offers a structured analysis of worldwide scientific activity in this field and identifies emerging trends, providing useful insights for future studies.