Mapping the global landscape of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE): a bibliometric and...

To systematically analyze the global development, research hotspots, key contributors, and emerging trends in Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) using bibliometric and visualization methods. Publications related to RAMIE from 2005 to 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Data on annual publications, citations, journals, countries, institutions, and authors were analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R software. Keyword co-occurrence, clustering, citation bursts, and co-cited references were employed to identify research themes, influential studies, and emerging trends. A total of 391 publications were included. Annual output and citations increased steadily, particularly after 2015. Core research concentrated in specialized journals, with the United States, China, Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany contributing the most publications. Leading institutions included University Medical Center Utrecht, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Core authors, such as van Hillegersberg R. and Ruurd JP, formed stable high-output networks. Keyword and co-citation analyses highlighted research focus on minimally invasive and robotic procedural optimization, perioperative management, complication prevention, and long-term outcomes. High-impact studies, including the ROBOT and RAMIE trials, provided evidence supporting RAMIE's feasibility, safety, and oncological adequacy. Looking ahead, emerging topics included fluorescence-guided surgery, intraoperative navigation, augmented reality, and intelligent surgical systems. RAMIE research has evolved from single-center technical explorations to multicenter, evidence-based investigations, with increasing emphasis on surgical optimization, perioperative management, and long-term outcomes. Key research teams, influential publications, and international collaborations have shaped the field. These findings offer a comprehensive overview of the global RAMIE landscape and may guide future research directions, clinical practice, and international cooperation.