Otoplasty in the Scientific Literature: Global Productivity, Thematic Evolution, and Forecasted Trajectories

Otoplasty is a common aesthetic and reconstructive procedure with significant psychosocial impact. Despite its long history and continuous refinement, the literature on otoplasty remains fragmented across specialties and journals. No prior bibliometric study has comprehensively mapped the global research landscape.

A bibliometric analysis was performed using the Scopus database, including all otoplasty‑related articles and reviews published up to 17 September 2025. Bibliographic data were exported, cleaned, and analysed with VOSviewer and R. Analyses included publication trends, citation metrics, country and institutional productivity, source distribution, keyword co‑occurrence, centrality mapping, and Bradford's law. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling using (1941-2023) data was applied to forecast future publication trends.

A total of 951 publications were identified. Scientific output has grown steadily since the 1960s, with accelerated expansion after 2000. ARIMA forecasting projected continued growth through 2050. The USA, Germany, and the UK were the most productive countries, while leading institutions included University College London, Harvard University, and the University of Toronto. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was the most cited journal, and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked among the most productive and influential sources. Keyword analysis revealed four clusters: anatomy/deformity (prominent ear, auricle, cartilage), surgical techniques (Mustardé, Furnas, scoring, incisionless), complications (hematoma, infection, extrusion, recurrence, scarring), and outcomes (patient satisfaction, aesthetics, quality of life). Bubble timelines showed enduring prominence of classic terms and rising patient‑centred outcomes.

This first comprehensive bibliometric study of otoplasty research highlights sustained scholarly growth, geographic concentration in high‑income countries, and the pivotal role of specialty journals, particularly Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in disseminating auricular surgery scholarship. Thematic evolution reflects the maturation of the field towards patient‑centred outcomes, underscoring the need for broader international collaboration and continued methodological rigour.

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