Bibliometric mapping of scientific production on photodynamic therapy in cutaneous wounds: A web of science analysis

Cutaneous wounds, particularly chronic wounds, represent a major clinical and public health challenge because of their high prevalence, prolonged healing time, and substantial healthcare and economic burden. In this context, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted growing interest owing to its antimicrobial potential and ability to modulate biological processes involved in tissue repair. This bibliometric study used the Web of Science Core Collection. Articles published between 2000 and 2025 were included without language restrictions. Bibliographic records were analyzed using VOSviewer and CitNetExplorer to characterize temporal trends in scientific production and the collaborative, conceptual, and intellectual structure of the literature. A total of 1,008 articles were identified. Scientific production increased markedly, particularly from 2020 onward, accompanied by the consolidation of international collaboration networks and the predominance of China, the United States, and Brazil among the most productive countries. Bibliometric analyses revealed a progressive reconfiguration of the field's conceptual structure. Initially centered on the microbiological control of wounds, the literature later incorporated biomaterials, nanotechnology, smart hydrogels, and multifunctional therapeutic platforms aimed at tissue repair. Historiographic analysis showed that this evolution occurred cumulatively, preserving the foundations established by pioneering studies while progressively incorporating newer biological and technological approaches. Research on PDT for cutaneous wounds is expanding and becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. The integration of photomedicine, nanotechnology, biomaterials science, and regenerative medicine appears central to the field's recent reorganization, providing a basis for future research and for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for cutaneous wound management.